Tag Archives: Elizabeth Benjamin

The Dean of New York City’s Congressional delegation, Charlie Rangel, announced this morning that he will be temporarily stepping down as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.  The announcement came as the ethics committee continued to investigate Rangel for various violations such as traveling on the dime of corporate sponsors, and more seriously, failing to pay taxes on a vacation property.  Rangel has maintained his innocence, and explains his leave of absence as an altruistic move “to avoid my colleagues having to defend me during their elections.” However, others have speculated that Rangel did not have the support of his colleagues to beat back a Republican challenge to his Chairmanship. Michael McAuliff of The Daily News explains … More >>