WASHINGTON -- The House ethics committees chief counsel has recommended that Rep. Charles Rangel be censured in connection with a finding that he engaged in improper financial and fundraising conduct.
Chief counsel Blake Chisman called for this punishment despite the New York Democrats plea to his colleagues for a drop of fairness and mercy.
If Chisams recommendation is carried out this would be the most serious punishment short of expulsion which is highly unlikely. Chisam and Rangel argued their positions Thursday in a public hearing on sanctions held by the ethics committee.
The censuring of a lawmaker does not carry any particular limitation on powers or privileges afforded to a member of Congress. There are no specific rules governing what happens to a member who has been censured.
In the past however the party conferences and caucuses have decided to discipline their own based on the decision to censure a member.
Rangel spoke calmly without notes as he faced the committee. He repeatedly denied he was corrupt or crooked sparking a clash with Rep. Michael McCaul R-Texas.
McCaul questioned whether Rangels conduct was in fact corrupt.
He noted that Rangel targeted donors for a college center named after him people who had legislative issues that Rangel could influence in the Ways and Means Committee.
Rangel McCaul added didnt pay taxes on his Dominican Republic villa for 17 years.
Failure to pay taxes for 17 years. What is that? McCaul asked. He noted that former Rep. James Traficant who was expelled after a felony conviction didnt pay taxes for just two years.
Rangel argued City College (of New York) came to me to use my name. I was not trying to criminally hide anything from the IRS and Congress.
He said he didnt know the landlord of his New York apartment building placed him on a special handling list when Rangel set up a campaign office in a subsidized unit designated for residential use.
Before Chisam commenced his remarks Rep. Jo Bonner R-Ala. told committee colleagues that Rangel need only look in the mirror to know who to blame for his predicament.
Rangel replied that he has never blamed staff or anyone else for his irresponsible behavior.
You have clips of what I said Rangel said.
Only 22 House members have ever been censured. The last two were former Reps. Gerry Studds D-Mass. and Daniel Crane R-Mich. who were censured in 1983.
Fox News Chad Pergram John Brandt and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON -- The House ethics committees chief counsel has recommended that Rep. Charles Rangel be censured in connection with a finding that he engaged in improper financial and fundraising conduct.
Chief counsel Blake Chisman called for this punishment despite the New York Democrats plea to his colleagues for a drop of fairness and mercy.
If Chisams recommendation is carried out this would be the most serious punishment short of expulsion which is highly unlikely. Chisam and Rangel argued their positions Thursday in a public hearing on sanctions held by the ethics committee.
The censuring of a lawmaker does not carry any particular limitation on powers or privileges afforded to a member of Congress. There are no specific rules governing what happens to a member who has been censured.
In the past however the party conferences and caucuses have decided to discipline their own based on the decision to censure a member.
Rangel spoke calmly without notes as he faced the committee. He repeatedly denied he was corrupt or crooked sparking a clash with Rep. Michael McCaul R-Texas.
McCaul questioned whether Rangels conduct was in fact corrupt.
He noted that Rangel targeted donors for a college center named after him people who had legislative issues that Rangel could influence in the Ways and Means Committee.
Rangel McCaul added didnt pay taxes on his Dominican Republic villa for 17 years.
Failure to pay taxes for 17 years. What is that? McCaul asked. He noted that former Rep. James Traficant who was expelled after a felony conviction didnt pay taxes for just two years.
Rangel argued City College (of New York) came to me to use my name. I was not trying to criminally hide anything from the IRS and Congress.
He said he didnt know the landlord of his New York apartment building placed him on a special handling list when Rangel set up a campaign office in a subsidized unit designated for residential use.
Before Chisam commenced his remarks Rep. Jo Bonner R-Ala. told committee colleagues that Rangel need only look in the mirror to know who to blame for his predicament.
Rangel replied that he has never blamed staff or anyone else for his irresponsible behavior.
You have clips of what I said Rangel said.
Only 22 House members have ever been censured. The last two were former Reps. Gerry Studds D-Mass. and Daniel Crane R-Mich. who were censured in 1983.
Fox News Chad Pergram John Brandt and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
