House Republicans plan to introduce a resolution today calling on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who has been dogged by charges of financial misconduct and influence peddling, to resign from his powerful post at the head of the Ways and Means Committee.
Rep. John Carter (R-TX), who is leading the charge against Rangel and wrote the resolution — which House Dems are vowing to block — said in a statement:
To allow Mr. Rangel to continue to serve as Chairman of the very committee with IRS oversight, without paying a nickel in penalties, and with no end in sight to his ethics investigation, sends a clear message to the American public that this government refuses to abide by the same laws they impose on the working people of this country.
Politico quotes Rangel saying today that the resolution is “unfair,” given that a House ethics probe is ongoing. On Monday, he told reporters of Carter: “I’m disappointed in him.”
Democrats, meanwhile, are circling the wagons. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said today he would try to block the resolution because the ethics probe is ongoing, The Hill reports.
Of Rangel’s failure to disclose various financial information, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) today said, in effect, no problem — everybody does it.
Read the resolution in full here.
Late 1:01 p.m. ET Update: Carter is on the floor of the House talking Rangel right now. We’ll have the video for you soon.
Late Late Update: Here’s a clip of Carter’s comments.