From The Washington Post:
The House ethics committee is preparing to conduct what to amounts to a trial for former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.).
The committee has concluded that Rangel violated House ethics rules and will release a public statement of violation next week.
It has been eight years since the U.S. House of Representatives conducted a similar review — that of former Rep. Jim Trafficant, who was later expelled. It is based on 18 months of investigation into Rangel’s conduct as a member of Congress and how may have used his House position to influence his private business. That investigation has focused on Rangel’s amendment of his financial disclosure forms and his fundraising using official congressional letterhead for a center in his name at City College of New York.
I would suspect that Democrats think this is good for them going into November, makes them look like they are tough on corruption… or am I just being too cynical?
I’m not saying this isn’t something that should not be done, I just can’t help that it is a “cover your butt” move by the House Democratic leadership.
If he is found in violation, will they move to expel him or will they just give him a slap on the wrist? Will there be criminal charges? Lots of questions…
This is news that will make the Republicans in New York 15 competing in a primary to face him smile.
More later…
Shane Vander Hart
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“The case could end with a simple admonishment of Mr. Rangel, which is the most common action by the Standards Committee” This is JUST ONE MORE example of why we the people need to kick the GOBs on both isles out on their collective a s s e s in November. The liars, er lawyers keep proclaiming innocence for this type activity while the evidence says we must believe them or our lying eyes!
Scum. Pure scum in DC – and it crosses both parties and all races. Kick them all out.
They should be so lucky if that’s all that happened. Really, some should be in prison. I’m sure Rangel just HATES being told tsk,tsk,tsk * wink* *wink* as he keeps the ill-gotten gains and retires to the Dominican with his Fed Gov retirement and $$$$ intact.
Rangel’s abuses have been thoroughly chronicled: Kos actually argued for him to resign the chairmanship well before he actually did –
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/9/791154/-Rangel-needs-to-step-down
I’m not sure what kind of political move this is by the Democrats. I’m actually less skeptical about it than most. This is not an issue anyone really wants to address, except Republicans, and it is moving forward.