Rangel Asked by Boehner to Relinquish Gavel

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Friday asked Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) — the embattled chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee — ¬to relinquish his gavel until the ethics panel completes its investigation into irregularities in Rangel’s personal finances.

Boehner’s request comes a week after reports that Rangel failed to disclose $600,000 in assets as well as tens of thousands of dollars in income on his 2007 financial disclosures.

In a letter to Rangel, Boehner said although he considered Rangel a friend, he felt it was necessary for the chairman to step aside as a sign of respect to the institution while the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct investigation is in progress.

Read more: (Jackie Kucinich, “Boehner Asks Rangel to Relinquish Gavel,” Roll Call, 9/04/09)