Rangel Says He's Not Going Away, Challenges House To Expel Him

In a wildly unexpected move, embattled Congressman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) delivered a ringing message to members of the House on Tuesday.

“Don’t leave me swinging in the wind until November,” said Rangel during a rant that lasted over a half hour. “If you want me to resign, tell me now!”

Rangel, an Army veteran who has been in office for four decades, told Democrats to “do what you gotta do,” but reminded them that he was “the guy who was raising money in Republican districts to get you here.”

The purpose of Rangel’s charged remarks was to complain about the slow pace of House Ethics Committee proceedings against him. After weeks of speculation, the committee announced before the House adjourned last week that it would file 13 charges against the 80-year-old Democrat. However, the committee has not yet announced when a trial for Rangel will begin.

Rangel said he could not afford to pay his lawyers much longer, and pleaded for an expedited trial. He then offered explanations for the most serious charges against him.

He called his decision to use congressional stationary to solicit campaign contributions “stupid, but not corrupt.” Rangel responded to allegations that he ran a congressional office out of a private residency by pleading “guilty to not being sensitive.” He also apologized for not paying closer attention to the tax liability of his vacation home in the Dominican Republic.

“Don’t let this happen to you,” Rangel warned his colleagues.

Embattled Rangel Will Stand Trial In September

Robert Hune-Kalter - Talk Radio News Service

A House Ethics Subcommittee laid out 13 charges of House rules violations this afternoon against Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), and began making preparations to hold what promises to be a highly watched trial.

Rangel had worked feverishly this week to strike a plea bargain with the committee, but ultimately came up short in that effort. Such a deal would’ve likely required the 80-year-old Rangel to admit to some wrongdoing.

The list of charges against the former Ways and Means Chairman was read by Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) and Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) who lead the investigation into Rangel’s alleged misconduct.

“The charges in the Statement of Alleged Violation relate to four general subject matters,” said Green.  “Solicitations and donations to the Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College [of] New York; errors and omissions on Rep. Rengal’s Financial Disclosure Statements; use of rent-stabilized residential apartment by respondent’s campaign committees; and failure to report and pay taxes on rental income on Respondent’s Punta Cana beach villa.”

Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-Texas) both agreed that the trial would be necessary for the House to regain the trust of the American public.

“The American people deserve to hear the truth in this case and the charges against [Rangel],” said McCaul.  “[House Speaker Nancy Pelosi] herself has said that we are entering into an era of transparency and accountability. I agree. Let us begin today, let justice be served.