Embattled Rangel Keeps Leadership Role

Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) will keep his chairmanship of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, after Republicans failed to pass a resolution Wednesday to remove him from the leadership position.

The House voted 246 to 153 to refer the resolution to the House Ethics Committee, which is already investigating Rangel.

The resolution chastised Rangel for allegations of improper and potentially illegal conduct relating to his personal finances and fundraising. The congressman has denied any wrongdoing. The Ways and Means Committee is responsible for tax law.

Wednesday's resolution was the third targeting Rangel that Republicans offered in the House this year. Two Democrats -- Gene Taylor and Travis Childers, both of Mississippi -- voted against Rangel, while six Republicans sided with the Democratic chairman: Peter King of New York, Walter Jones of North Carolina, Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania, Ron Paul of Texas, Dana Rohrabacher of California and Don Young of Alaska.

The two Democratic votes against Rangel "show that support for the Democratic leaders' decision to sweep this matter under the rug is starting to crack," said Michael Steel, a spokesman for Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said earlier Wednesday that any action before the Ethics Committee completes its work would be premature.

Rangel's Dubious Accounting