Ethics lapses pose hurdles for Democrats

Published: March 6, 2010

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Rep. Charles Rangel's obvious ethical transgressions mandate his permanent removal of the House Ways and Means Committee - a position that requires credibility.

Mr. Rangel, a Democrat representing a portion of New York City, has failed to pay taxes on rental income from a villa in the Dominican Republic that he owns. He has control of four rent-controlled apartments in New York that were given to him by a developer at well below market rates. And he has often accepted travel to the Caribbean from corporations.

In the words of the New York Times, the ethical woes facing Democrats are piling up, with barely a day passing in recent weeks without headlines from Washington to New York and beyond filled with word of scandal or allegations of wrongdoing. Taken together, the cases have opened the party to the same lines of criticism that Democrats, led by Representatives Nancy Pelosi, now the House speaker, and Rahm Emanuel, now White House chief of staff, used effectively against Republicans in winning control of the House and Senate four years ago.

Mr. Rangel said this week he will take a leave of absence pending completion of an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.

The public should not expect much from that committee, however.

Last week it exonerated seven lawmakers - the late John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania and fellow Democrats Peter J. Visclosky, Indiana; Norm Dicks, Washington; Marcy Kaptur, Ohio; and James D. Moran, Virginia; and Republicans C.W. Bill Young, Florida; and Todd Tiahrt, Kansas - of steering earmarked federal contracts to favored donors.

It did so even though the investigation by the independent Office of Congressional Ethics detailed the coordination of donations and earmarks in some cases, and recommended further investigation into the conduct of Mr. Visclosky and Mr. Tiahrt.

Mr. Rangel is the classic example of a lawmaker who has taken his long tenure as a ticket to entitlement and privilege. Sadly, he is not alone.

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