House Finds Rangel Violated Ethics Rules

Thursday, 25 Feb 2010 06:58 PM

WASHINGTON - The Associated Press has learned that the House ethics committee has concluded that Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel knowingly accepted Caribbean trips in violation of House rules that forbid hidden financing by corporations.

A congressional source familiar with the findings but not authorized to be quoted by name said at least four of members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the trips in 2007 and 2008 have been exonerated.

Rangel, D-N.Y., is one of the most influential members of Congress because the committee he chairs writes laws setting tax rates and oversees Medicare and Social Security benefits. The decision is certain to raise questions whether he can continue that role in an election year in which Congress must deal with several expiring tax laws.

The ethics committee has been investigating Rangel for 16 months on allegations that include tax evasion and failure to report income and assets.

Rangel dropped out of high school at 16. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for service in the Korean War. He drew on his combat experience for the title of his autobiography: "And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since."

He finished high school and college after the war, served in the state Legislature and then ousted Adam Clayton Powell Jr., a legendary Harlem congressman with his own ethical problems.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press

If he were a Republican, this ruling would have been out years ago. I'm not a Republican, but they do tend to demand honesty more than the Dims.

It must have been pretty bad for the libs to admit Rangal violated the rules.

I guess he needs to re-title his biography.

Hearing that ANY politician gets caught screwing up makes my day. I doubt though that this useless piece of feces will loose his job. Of course this is the perk of depending on the theft of the labor of others for your living. Imagine just how quickly he would be unemployed if he did this in the marketplace.

I can't even begin to describe my dislike for this douche bag. He simply is one of the most arrogant jackasses to ever live. I hope he suffers dearly for this...and yet...I know he won't.

Clearly this will be the final straw and the Democratic party will kick Rangel to the curb and expel him from the party.

Wait, what?

Democrat Calls for Rangel to Yield Tax-Writing Job

Friday, 26 Feb 2010 11:11 AM


A House Democrat is urging Rep. Charles Rangel to step aside as the top tax writer in Congress a day after the ethics committee said he violated travel rules by letting corporations pay for his trips to the Caribbean.

Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi was the first Democratic lawmaker to suggest that Rangel should give up his chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, which originates not only tax laws but also benefit programs that now pay nearly half the costs for Americans' health care.

In Taylor's words, Rangel should "either step down or step aside until this is resolved." Taylor made the remark to reporters while the House was voting on an intelligence bill. Rangel of New York was on the House floor taking part in the votes at the time.


Copyright 2010 The Associated Press

Has he pulled the race card yet?