The hearings held by the Ethics Committee today was despicable. This not a defense of Charlie Rangel. This is a rebuke of the ethics committee.
While it was clearly stated that the charges for which Charlie Rangel was admittedly guilty of were not for financial gain or any other gain but for over zealousness to provide for his constituency a censure was still recommended. Mr. Rangel never lied to the committee or provide false information.
When Newt Gingrich who verifiably provided misinformation to the committee was sentenced he was simply given a reprimand and fine which could be paid from campaign funds.
If this demonstrative double standard can exist in the House of representatives in 2010 just imagine the court systems at large. It is evident that it is the climate we are in where we have a vociferous Right and a timid Left that think they are making a statement by allowing a harsher penalty than otherwise would be given to someone else. Shame on the committee for their lack of balance and shame on Charlie Rangel for not being more responsible in following rules you should be aware of.
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Charles Rangel Should Be Censured, House Ethics Chief Counsel Recommends
LARRY MARGASAK | 11/18/10 01:16 PM
WASHINGTON — The House ethics committee’s chief counsel recommended Thursday that veteran Rep. Charles Rangel be censured for financial and fundraising misconduct as lawmakers neared closure on an embarassing 2 1/2-year-long scandal.
Chief counsel Blake Chisman called for the punishment despite the veteran New York congressman’s plea, in a prepared statement in advance of the hearing, for "a drop of fairness and mercy."
If Chisam’s recommendation is carried out, it would be the most serious punishment short of expulsion that could be meted out by the House. Chisam and Rangel argued their positions at a public hearing on sanctions, where the 80-year-old congressman acknowledged making mistakes in handling his finances and said he wasn’t there to "retry this case."
He did say he wished the committee would weigh, in considering its vote on punishment, how the House had handled previous cases involving lawmakers who were enriched by activities they undertook that were judged to be in violation of the chamber’s rules.
Before Chisam commenced his remarks, Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., told committee colleagues that Rangel needed only to "look in the mirror to know who to blame" for his predicament.
Chisam said Rangel "brought discredit" upon the House and that his actions "served to undermine public confidence in this institution."
The committee was poised to recess for a closed session to discuss the recommendation of censure.
Charles Rangel Should Be Censured, House Ethics Chief Counsel Recommends