Rangel me this (Wizbang)

Well it looks like Speaker Pelosi won't be able to sweep this mess under the rug after all. The House ethics committee is expanding an investigation of Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

The ethics panel issued a statement Tuesday saying it had voted to expand an already far-ranging probe into the New York Democrat to examine whether he protected an oil drilling company from a big tax bill when the head of that company pledged a $1 million donation to a college center named after the congressman.

The move means the Rangel inquiry will likely stretch well past early January, when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had previously said she expected the matter to be resolved.

So far the "most ethical Congress in history" has declined to remove Rangel from his post as chairman of perhaps the most powerful House committee. And apparently his constituents are unconcerned with his failure to pay taxes, holding three rent-controlled apartments, and selling legislation for $1 million donations - he was just re-elected by an 88-9 percent margin. Well played, New York.

Granted, influence peddling by the Democrat Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee isn't as big a story as an anonymous Republican Congress-critter trolling for NSA gay sex in a bathroom, but this may be worth keeping an eye on.

Posted by Baron Von Ottomatic

Comments (7)

Does anyone really call thi... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by GianiD | December 10, 2008 1:29 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

GianiD:

Does anyone really call this the most ethical Congress in history?

If they do, they probably also call Chicago the epicenter of political integrity.

Posted on December 10, 2008 13:29

Never say never...especiall... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by hermie | December 10, 2008 1:30 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)

hermie:

Never say never...especially since the MSM can spike the story, or create a distraction with some 'scandal' about a Republican who didn't return his library book when he was 10.

Posted on December 10, 2008 13:30

If the Democratic leadershi... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Matt | December 10, 2008 3:10 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Matt:

If the Democratic leadership thought there was something to be gained by removing Rangel they would. They are all about political expediencey. If it was advantageous to them he'd be thrown under the buss faster than an Obama staffer.

Posted on December 10, 2008 15:10

Why would she treat Rangel ... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Gayle Miller | December 10, 2008 4:45 PM | Score: 3 (3 votes cast)

Gayle Miller:

Why would she treat Rangel any differently than she treats Hastings or Jefferson - both as hideously corrupt and despicable as Rangel? Has she issued word one about the Governor of Illinois' antics?

Ethics my Aunt Fanny. Everything that comes out of that suppurating abscess she calls a mouth is dishonest and disgusting.

Posted on December 10, 2008 16:45

I'm "saddened and sobered" ... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by Oyster | December 10, 2008 6:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Oyster:

I'm "saddened and sobered" by this news.

Posted on December 10, 2008 18:31

Who'd have thunk that we lo... (Below threshold)

6. Posted by RScott | December 10, 2008 7:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

RScott:

Who'd have thunk that we look to Hillary as the 'clean' Democrat?

Posted on December 10, 2008 19:04