Rangel Won’t Step Down as Panel Chair During Probe

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) will not give up his powerful committee chairmanship while he is being investigated for possible ethics violations, a decision supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the congressman’s lawyer said yesterday.

“Mr. Rangel has not considered, nor has it ever been on the table, that he would step aside from his current position as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,” Lanny Davis said.

Rangel, 78, has faced increasing pressure to vacate his committee post while the House ethics committee conducts inquiries into his financial and tax filings, real estate deals and fundraising for an academic center that bears his name. Pelosi, who met with Rangel on Monday, said Tuesday: “I see no reason for Mr. Rangel to step down.”

Read more: (Christopher Lee, “Rangel Won’t Step Down as Panel Chair During Probe,” The Washington Post, 9/17/08)