Congress, Politics, Society

Rangel To Be Admonished For Violating House Rules on Free Trips

Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has been found guilty of violating ethics rules in accepting Caribbean trips from a corporation. In a classic move, the House ethics office has decided not to find violations by four other members of the Congressional Black Caucus who also took the free trip in 2007 and 2008 because they were unaware that it was paid for by the corporation. How about the idea of not going on paid trips at all? I have long argued for a complete ban on such travel, here. The other four members were Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee; Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan; Donald M. Payne of New Jersey; and Delegate Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands.

The trips to attend business seminars in Antigua and Barbuda and in St. Maarten were paid for by corporations like Pfizer, Verizon and AT&T.

Rangel says that he will be admonished, but many will likely call for him to step down from his powerful post.

Rangel, 77, is still under investigation for alleged financial improprieties. He disputes the latest findings against him, here.

For the full story, click here and here.

13 thoughts on “Rangel To Be Admonished For Violating House Rules on Free Trips”

  3. I wonder how the conversations went…

    Fellow Black Caucus Member: “Aren’t we required to disclose the details of this trip since it is all expenses paid? By the way, who IS paying for this trip? And where did this great package of very expensive stuff come from?”

    Rangle: “What can I say, it fell off the back of a truck? Just take the trip, enjoy yourself, have a good time, be sure to not ask too many questions and oh, uh, just be sure not to forget who takes care of you – but enough of that, we will talk business later. By the way, I heard you sold your condo for twice what you had it listed at? Be a shame if that sale fell through.”

    But ya – I am sure none of them had any knowledge of funny business going on at all.

  4. BTW,since we are talking politics and politicians;

    “NY Gov Paterson Will Not Seek Re-Election
    Updated: Friday, 26 Feb 2010, 12:06 PM EST
    Published : Friday, 26 Feb 2010, 12:06 PM EST

    By Fredric U. Dicker and Maggie Haberman

    (New York Post) – New York Gov. David Paterson has decided not to seek election to a full term amid a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who’d reported domestic violence against one of his top aides, The New York Post reported Friday.

    Paterson has communicated to top advisers and supporters that he will pull the plug on his campaign Friday, multiple sources said.”

    http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpps/news/dpgonc-ny-gov-paterson-will-not-seek-re-election-fc-20100226_6295995

    He’s expected to make a statement between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m ET Friday.”

  6. George,

    The only logical conclusion is that Thompson and the others are lying, which makes his committee chairmanship even more disquieting and his actions inexcusable.

  8. I find it particularly disturbing that the chairman of the the House Homeland Security Committee is taking trips without knowing who is paying for them. It shows a disturbing lack of judgment and I’m shocked he’s keeping his chair.

  10. Principle should not be tainted by the foibles or weaknesses of its proponents, but alas, it is.

  11. One wonders who the others thought was paying for the trips. Was their internal dialogue, “Let’s see, I’m headed to Antiqua, Barbados and St Maarten. What to wear…. Gosh, this is great. And, even greater, I’m an elected official and (or was it, “therefore”) I don’t have to pay for it. I wonder who is paying for it? Oh well, can’t waste any time on such an insignificant issue. I’ve gotta pack”?

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