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Fellow Democrats may begin calling for
Charlie Rangel's resignation if he can't reach a plea deal that would prevent a public trial on ethics charges.
Up until now, only Republicans have called for Rangel's resignation. If Democrats begin making the call it will surely be a slap in the face to the 40-year Democrat and former chair of the
Ways and Means Committee.
Today is likely the last day to make a deal. Although the charges Rangel could face have been widely speculated about, a formal reading of the charges is set for 1 p.m. EST today.
Rangel is being investigated for his use of four rent-controlled apartments in Harlem, using Congressional letterhead to raise money for a New York City College center for public service bearing his name, not reporting income and assets and preserving a tax loophole for a group that donated to the City College center. If a trial were to take place and he were to be found guilty of ethics violations, Rangel could face everything from a written reprimand, censure or expulsion.
An ethics trial is rare and could be embarrassing.
Democrats have been pushing for Rangel to settle the charges in light of the upcoming mid-term elections. The fear is that the ethics charges against one of the longest-serving and most powerful Democrats will be used against other Democrats as they fight for re-election and fight to maintain control of the House.
Members of the
Congressional Black Caucus have called for fellow Democrats and the public to not rush to judgment.
However, other Democrats have made much tougher comments.
The
AP writes:
Rep. Betty Sutton of Ohio, a second-term lawmakers who received 65 percent of the vote two years ago, said Rangel "needs to resign" to preserve the public's trust in Congress. Rep. Walt Minnick of Idaho, a freshman who got 51 percent of the vote last time, couched his resignation call on the charges being proven.
Rangel, himself, is facing a primary challenge but many residents of his Harlem district have said they will stand by him. It's very likely that Rangel will be reelected.
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