Good-Time Charlie’s Got the Blues

Powerful liberal Charles Rangel stepped down temporarily from his leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Image: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

Sorry, Charlie. Your star-kissed career in Congress may be over.

Representative Charles Rangel, Democrat from New York, announced this morning that he was taking “a leave of absence” as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee while the House Ethics Committee completes its investigation of him.

Rangel, who was elected to represent Harlem in the House 40 years ago, became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 2007, after Democrats gained control of the chamber. While liberal on most issues, Rangel also showed a willingness to work with the business community. For example, he proposed reducing the top corporate tax rate in return for eliminating certain deductions.

The usually jovial congressman, however, has been under an ethical cloud for the past year. Last week, the House Ethics Committee reprimanded Rangel for breaking House rules by accepting corporate-sponsored trips to Caribbean conferences. The panel still is investigating more serious charges—Rangel is accused of failing to pay taxes on a Dominican Republic villa and neglecting to report $500,000 in income on his congressional financial disclosure forms, just to name two of the allegations.

Republicans have been going after Rangel ever since these allegations surfaced. After all, the so-called “culture of corruption” that developed under their rule was one of the reasons they lost control of Congress in 2006, so they’re eager to point out the shortcomings of Capitol Hill’s new rulers. They were trying to force a vote on a nonbinding resolution calling on Rangel to step down.

Today, Rangel announced he would step down, temporarily, so that his Democratic colleagues wouldn’t have to “defend me during their elections.”

The raspy-voiced veteran normally loves to crack wise with reporters, but he declined to take questions at this morning’s press conference. That, he said, would distract him from working on health care reform and another jobs bill.

“I hope you don’t mind,” he said.

“I want you to have a great day,” he added.

As he started walking away from podium, he stopped. Then he noted that he had told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “from the very beginning” that he was willing to step down temporarily as committee chairman.

It’s unlikely, however, that Rangel will return to his lofty position as head of one of the House’s most powerful committees. In the House, as well as the corporate world, temporary leaves of absence tend to become permanent departures. Once you’re accustomed to having power, it’s hard to be just another House member, especially after spending most of your life in Congress. Don’t be surprised if Rangel decides to retire.

The question is who will replace Rangel as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, trade, Social Security, and many of the provisions in the health care reform bill. Representative Pete Stark, a sharp-tongued liberal from California, is next in line in terms of seniority. He apparently will take over, at least temporarily.

The committee canceled a meeting scheduled for today, when it was supposed to vote on its views of President Barack Obama’s budget proposals.

Rangel will be missed, especially by Republicans, who won’t have Charlie to kick around anymore.