House Thwarts Effort to Strip Rangel’s Gavel

The House on Wednesday stymied a Republican resolution to strip embattled Ways and Means Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) of his gavel, voting instead to refer the measure to the ethics committee.

The resolution was referred on a 246-153 vote, split largely along party lines. Six Republicans voted with Democrats to refer the resolution to the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, two Democrats voted against referral, and 19 Members voted present.

Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) reintroduced the privileged resolution that would have removed Rangel as Ways and Means chairman until the ethics committee concludes its investigation into his personal finances.

Read more: (Jackie Kucinich, “House Thwarts Effort to Strip Rangel’s Gavel,” Roll Call, 10/07/09)