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Rep. Charlie Rangel Faces House Censure

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Facing censure for campaign financing and fund raising misconduct, a defiant former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charles “Charlie” Rangel (D-Harlem) showed little real contrition making a bad situation worse. Rangel’s defiance showed he’s his worst enemy, facing real consequences for violating House ethical rules. While Rangel insists his conduct was “sloppy,” he rejected the idea that he was a dirty corrupt, citing inadvertent omissions and errors. Rangel pleaded with the House Ethic’s Committee for “a drop of fairness and mercy,” something unlikely to happen for the 80-year-old Harlem congressman. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco swept into control in 2006, she promised to “clean house,” in the wake of repeated GOP scandals led by Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Sugar Land, Tx.).

Throwing the book at Rangel plays well in the wake of the GOP’s latest House takeover on Nov. 2. Rangel’s offenses didn’t involve “high crimes and misdemeanors” but rather self-serving trips and financial dealings. “Failure to pay taxes for 17 years. What is that?” asked Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), accusing Rangel of corruption and urging a full vote of censure. House Chief Counsel Blake Chisam also urged full censure citing Rangel’s failure to pay taxes on his Dominican Republic villa, noting that Rep. James Trafficant (D-Ohio) faced expulsions for two years of tax evasion. Rangel was also cited for setting up a campaign office in a Section 8, low income New York apartment building. “City College [of NY] came to me to use my name. I was not trying to criminally hide any anything for the IRS and Congress,” said Rangel, excusing yet another ethic’s violation.

Serving as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means tax-writing Committee, Rangel set himself up for less forgiveness. He faces the same lack of tolerance as former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, a former NY attorney general who solicited and paid for high-priced call girls. When the charges broke early this year, Rangel was forced to step down as chairman. Rangel embarrassed Pelosi during her corruption-cleaning crusade, reminding voters heading into the midterm elections that neither Party shows any difference when it comes to “pay-to-play” politics. Using rent-controlled apartments for his campaign office irked civic leaders proclaiming to help minority or poor housing applicants. Failing to report income at his Dominican Republic Punta Cana Yacht Club rental units also irked the Ethic’s Committee before his sentencing hearing.

Rangel has been a important member of the Black Caucus since 1971 when first elected to Congress. He was ironically one of the most vociferous Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee in 1972-74 urging impeachment against President Richard M. Nixon. Rangel overplayed his hand refusing to plea bargain with Judiciary Committee investigators before his eventual trials resulting in 11 House ethical violations. Regardless of what the punishment the ethic’s panel approves, Rangel stay in congress despite damage to his career and clout. President Barack Obama counted on Rangel to help push his plan to roll back the Bush tax cuts, especially couples earning over $250,000 a year. With Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) ready to take the speaker’s reins from Pelosi, it’s unlikely the House ethics’ panel will show much mercy to the 21-term Harlem/Bronx congressman.

Rangel’s gravely voice continues to represent the old guard on civil rights, especially for his underprivileged 15th congressional district. Whether Rangel is censored or not, it’s doubtful it will hurt his reelection chances in 2012, since he managed a landslide on Nov. 2. House ethic’s panel prosecutor Blake Chisam needs to weigh out the punishment carefully because of Rangel’s long distinguished track record of championing the cause of the underprivileged. Going overboard with either censure or something short could trigger a backlash among Congress’ Black Caucus. Rangel’s infractions did little to betray his oath of office or fighting for the rights of his constituents, making the charges seem overly technical if not picayune. Throwing the book at Charlie makes the committee look political, diluting the substance of the allegations and convictions.

House Ethic’s panel must weigh carefully the punishment for 21-term congressman Charlie Rangel. While he technically violated House rules, he didn’t betray his oath of office or compromise his underprivileged constituents. Rangel still presents some of the most eloquent speakers in the Congressional Black Caucus on civil rights and aid to the poor. Telling Rangel to “look into the mirror to know whom to blame,” Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Alaska) personifies the kind of overkill that could backfire on Congressional Republicans. Rangel’s infractions were more technical than substantive, warranting an appropriate response from the panel. House censure goes too far and should be reserved for those ethical breaches that violate the oath of office or rise to the level of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” Chisam must take Rangel’s distinguished public track record into account.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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