Rep. Rangel Rails Against The Media

Powerful Committee Chairman Calls For Ethics Probe Of Himself To Clear His Name After Newspaper Report

(The Politico)  This was written by John Bresnahan for Politico's blog The Crypt.

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Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, called on the House ethics committee to investigate his role in raising funds for the "Rangel Center" at City College in New York.

In a combative press conference this morning, Rangel went after the Washington Post for reporting that he was sending out letters on official congressional letterhead soliciting funds for the center from corporations and wealthy individuals with business before his panel.

"The review should be done as soon as possible so as to clear up any misunderstandings regarding my efforts to cnnvene meeting to discuss partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector," Rangel said in a statement released at the press conference.

"I believe the review will show there have been no violations of the [House ethics] rules."

Rangel released some solicitation letters, which he said are "not requests for donations, which would violate the rules."

The veteran lawmaker also used most of his session with reporters to attack the Washington Post and Christopher Lee, who wrote the original article detailing Rangel's actions. Rangel used a similar tactic in slamming a recent New York Times questioning his control of four apartments in the rent-controlled Harlem building where he lives.

Update - Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she backs Rangel's request for an ethics committee probe into the Rangel Center.

"I support his request," Pelosi said in response to a question about whether the ethics panel should investigate the matter.

 

[vnveteran72]

Why can''t he claim "Congressional Privilege" and just refuse to turn over any evidence???.....After all, it works for Shrub and Darth.....

[penrod8]

Any wonder that the approval rating for congress is lower that that of the President. Power corrupts and he better be careful before some of his friends call him a bad name for talking down to the press.

[libh8er]

Sure....anytime you shine the light of truth on a criminal, they go after the source. With a 9% approval rating, Pelosi''s congress is the worst in American history! Congratulations! (nice hooters, though) :)