Ethics Committee Says Rep. Charlie Rangel Violated Rules Over Hidden Financing, Rangel Digs in

House ethics committee says Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) broke the rules when he accepted Caribbean trips in violation of House rules.

BREAKING: The Associated Press is reporting that the House ethics committee has found that Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY), Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee broke the rules. He knowingly accepted Caribbean trips in violation of House rules that clearly forbids hidden financing by corporations. Er, shouldn't he be forced out of his position as chairman of this committee? He won't leave because House leader Nancy Pelosi won't make that a reality. How do you keep a tax cheat in the No. 1 position on the committee writing the tax laws? This is a mockery of the system. Nancy Pelosi said she would run the most ethical House of Representatives, but I beg to differ on the basis of the Democratic Party's continued coddling of Rangel.

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 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.

Charlie Rangel said, in a press conference Thursday evening, that the finding defied "common sense." Of course, he attempted to kick the can down the road to someone's else house. He said the probe found he did not know the trips in 2007 and 2008 were underwritten by corporations, but that two of his staffers did. Right. He further added, "Common sense dictates that members of Congress should not be held responsible for what could be the wrongdoing or errors of staff, unless there's reason to believe that the member knew or should have known -- and there's nothing in the record to indicate the latter." "I think right now I have to let the general community make its own judgment," Rangel said. So, now here's my two cents as a member of the general public, it's time for Charlie Rangel to step aside as chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Heck, it's high time for him to be voted out of office because he hasn't served the people of his congressional district with honor and dignity.

Still, let us be mindful that the ethics probe continues. The panel, which is composed of three Democrats and three Republicans, is still looking other issues, including his use of a rent-controlled apartment and his fundraising for the Charles Rangel Center for Public Service in New York City. This will, undoubtedly drag on for another year before we are able to entertain the prospect of this leech being kicked out of his leadership role. It's amazing that the members of the Congressional Black Caucus thinks anyone takes them seriously when they have a tax cheat and a pimp of the system in their ranks, among other issues.