Murphy Says Rangel Should Step Down

U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District, moved quickly Tuesday to distance himself from the latest Congressional scandal.

Harlem Democrat Charlie Rangel’s recent admonishment by the House Ethics Committee has caused a stir about campaign contributions.

Last week, the Ethics Committee admonished Rangel for accepting privately-funded travel to the Caribbean. It found he had violated House gift rules. The panel is still investigating other matters related to Rangel.

Republicans have tried to place Democrats such as Chris Murphy in the eye of this ethical storm. The National Republican Committee charged that not only has Murphy accepted $21,000 in “dirty campaign funds,” but has twice voted to “sweep his party’s corruption problems under the rug” by letting Rangel off the hook.

Murphy said he has not received donations from Rangel in this campaign.

After months of holding ranks, some Democrats are finally turning on the House Ways and Means Committee chairman in the wake of the Caribbean junket.

Last Friday, Rep. Paul Hodes, D-N.H., told POLITICO he wanted Rangel to quit his powerful committee post. That was quickly followed by similar statements from a pair of deep-south Democrats, Mississippi Rep. Gene Taylor and Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright.

Murphy is one of a handful of members of Congress who thinks Rangel should step down temporarily as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

Read more: (Scott Whipple, “Murphy Says Rangel Should Step Down,” New Britain Herald, 03/02/10)