Sep 16, 2008 3:02 pm US/Eastern
Source: Rangel Won't Step Down From Chairmanship
Despite Push From House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, N.Y. Dem Says Giving Up Post 'Was Never Under Consideration'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, D-Harlem, could very well be removed from his powerful position as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
AP
Sources who spoke to the Associated Press on conditions of anonymity have said that Charles Rangel will not step down as chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee.
People close to the New York Democrat said on Tuesday that giving up the powerful chairmanship was never under consideration. They spoke on condition of anonymity because Rangel has refused to discuss the matter publicly.
Rangel has come under fire for unreported income on a beach vacation home in the Dominican Republic, as well as other issues. He has been meeting privately the past two days with House Democratic leaders.
The House ethics committee is investigating.
On Monday, the chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee was scheduled to meet privately with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, trying to deal with the ethics questions that just won't go away. It is believed that Pelosi urged Rangel to step down.
Rangel emerged from a private meeting with fellow lawmakers Monday night having survived another day as chairman of the tax writing committee despite lingering questions about his personal finances and unpaid taxes on a beach house.
"I am unable to say anything," the Democrat said, before rattling off his name, rank and serial number from his days as a soldier in the Korean War. "Do to me what you want, I'm not talking."
Asked if he was still the chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, Rangel smiled and said nothing.
"You're damn right he's the chairman," replied fellow lawmaker Sander Levin, D-Mich.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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