Let the U.S. House of Representatives' ethics committee do its job by completing the investigation of the Chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
That was the reaction of the Congressional Black Caucus, New York City's Democratic Mayoral candidate William "Bill" Thompson, and individual members of the House in the wake of a decision by the full chamber, which effectively blocked a Republican effort to force Congressman "Charlie" Rangel to quit his influential position.
"The members of the Congress have said through their vote that they would like to see the situation resolved and the investigation completed," said Thompson, the City's Comptroller and the Democratic mayoral standard-bearer in the November 3rd election. "The investigation should be allowed to continue. Congressman Rangel is a public figure who is good for New York City. In him we have the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the most powerful committee in Washington. In these tough times we need Charlie Rangel in Washington and one hopes that these investigations end and that the Congressman is able to put all of this behind him and move on. In these tough times, Congressman Rangel is very helpful here in New York City and the State and in the country as a whole."
Brooklyn Congressman Ed Towns agreed and outlined his position in a "statement of support" for Rangel.
"As long as I have known him, Charlie Rangel has always stood up for New York and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of families in his district and across the nation," Towns said. "Charlie's position as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee has never been more critically important to our country than today, and New York is rightfully proud of the thoughtful leadership he provides to the House of Representatives. I am inspired by the innumerable accomplishments of my dear friend and colleague and look forward to continuing to do great things with him in the Congress for many years to come."
By a vote of 246 to 153 the House decided to table a resolution that sought to force Rangel from the Chairmanship even before the ethics committee had concluded its inquiry into any possible errors in the Congressman's tax filings and financial disclosures. Although the vote was essentially along party lines, two Democrats, Representatives Travis Childers (D-MS) and Gene Taylor (D-MS-District 4), voted with the Republicans while six Republicans, including Congressman Peter King of New York supported the Democrats.
"I think it is a dangerous precedent to find someone guilty before the ethics committee has made a decision," King said.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, members of the Black Caucus voiced a similar sentiment.
"As you know, Chairman Rangel has been subjected to repeated attacks based on allegations that he committed errors in complex financial disclosures and tax filings," the Caucus told the Speaker. "Out of respect for the integrity of the House, Chairman Rangel himself asked the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct to conduct a thorough investigation of any possible errors, and he has demonstrated his cooperation with such an investigation by hiring, on his own initiative, an accountant to thoroughly review all his records and file corrections The Committee on Standards is currently conducting its review, and will present its findings to the House when its review is completed. This is as it should be.
"Regrettably," the Caucus added, "the (Republican) minority has repeatedly attempted to make an end-run around the bipartisan procedures for investigating ethics issues."
These Republican attempts to presume guilt before an investigation has been completed violate the core American principle of the presumption of innocence. These attempts also will discourage members in the future from self-reporting any potential ethics issues, and will distract from the important work of the House to fix the economy, put Americans back to work, and improve access to health care.
"Charlie Rangel's work on these issues is critically important, and we are proud of the thoughtful leadership he provides to the House," the letter stated. "He has our full support for his work as Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means while a bipartisan ethics review is pending."
Among those signing the letter were Representatives Melvin Watts (D-NC District 12), Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Donald Payne (D-NJ District 10), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Gregory Meeks (D-NY District 6), Ed Towns (D-NY District 10), Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), John Conyers (D-MI District 14), Donna Christensen (D-VI), Yvette Clarke (D-NY District 11), Maxine Waters (D-CA District 35), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Carolyn C. Kilpatrick (D-MI District 6), Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio District 11), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-District of Columbia).
"I have been waiting patiently for the ethics committee to make a judgment," Rangel said. "That is where it belongs. It does not belong on the floor [of the House]."
