In the wake of an announcement from the bipartisan House Ethics Committee yesterday that they had “substantial reason to believe” that U.S. Representative Charlie Rangel (D-NY) violated a range of ethics rules and potentially broke the law, the embattled Democrat held a press conference today and bullishly refused to step down from Congress or end his bid for reelection this November.
Roll Call noted, “The House ethics committee announced Thursday that an investigative subcommittee found substantial reason to believe that Rangel broke House rules and possibly ran afoul of the law. The panel has been investigating questions involving Rangel’s personal finances, fundraising efforts and other issues for nearly two years.”
Despite these very serious allegations, Rangel’s Democrat colleague U.S. Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL) continues to loyally remain silent about his alleged transgressions, refusing to call for his resignation or return at least $5,500 in donations that he received from Rangel’s campaign committee and leadership PAC.
The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza reported today:
The news that New York Democratic Rep. Charlie Rangel violated House ethics rules and could be subject to a Congressional trial – likely in September – has party strategists panicked at what such a spectacle might do to an already difficult election climate for their side…
Republicans are likely to repeat a strategy they employed when Rangel was forced to step down as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in March – calling for the return of campaign contributions from the New York Democrat and seeking to get his colleagues on the record about whether or not he should resign.
For a party trying to desperately to turn the election into a choice between the two parties rather than a referendum on President Barack Obama and Democratic majorities in Congress, the Rangel allegations — and his combative approach to fighting them — is an unwelcome headache that could further complicate their efforts to keep the majority on Nov. 2.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) continues to call on Meek to return Rangel’s tainted campaign cash, especially in light of the fact that many of his Democrat colleagues returned the money earlier this year.
“Kendrick Meek is vying for a promotion to the U.S. Senate and he has a responsibility to stand up for ethical standards and accountability in Congress on behalf of the people of Florida. So will Meek finally step forward to call for Congressman Rangel’s resignation and return his tainted campaign contributions, or will he continue to stand by and condone his unethical behavior?” asked NRSC Press Secretary Amber Marchand.
Background Information:
Kendrick Meek Has Accepted At Least $5,500 From Rangel’s Campaign Committee And Leadership PAC:
- Kendrick Meek Accepted $500 From Rangel For Congress In July 2002. (Federal Election Commission Website, www.fec.gov, Accessed 2/25/10)
- In The 2008 Cycle, Kendrick Meek Accepted $5,000 From Rangel’s Leadership PAC. (Center For Responsive Politics Website, http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00302588&cycle=2008, Accessed 2/25/10)
