WASHINGTON (AP) — Highly visible ethics trials for two prominent Democrats will almost certainly be put off until after the November election, denying Republicans a televised spectacle that could influence voters near the end of campaigns dominated by economic issues.
The House ethics committee failed this past week to set a trial date for either Reps. Charles Rangel of New York or Maxine Waters of California.
Lawmakers plan to recess by Sept. 30 or soon afterward — not enough time to complete a trial. The House ethics committee is unlikely to start proceedings and then interrupt them. The committee has not announced its intentions.
Neither Rangel nor Waters had an immediate comment on the delay. Rangel, who has tried to negotiate a settlement, has said previously he wanted the case resolved before the election.
Republicans are making a strong bid to regain a House majority. Their House campaign committee is preparing advertisements that will focus on Democrats who received campaign money from Rangel or Waters, and demand that the money be returned. The campaign organization also has sent news releases to 35 House districts on the same issue.
Polling, however, finds the economy and jobs are the dominant campaign issues. News releases and attack ads by the National Republican Campaign Committee won’t substitute for a rare televised ethics trial — where House ethics investigators act as prosecutors trying to prove misconduct.
Democratic campaign strategists are predicting that the ethics issue will have little impact on their candidates’ individual races. Republicans have juxtaposed Rangel‘s and Waters’ troubles with Democratic leaders’ winning campaign strategy four years ago, when they accused the GOP of fostering a “culture of corruption.”
The issues then included ethics committee findings and state criminal charges in Texas against former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay; and evidence that GOP leaders knew about Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., sending sexually suggestive e-mails to former House pages, but took no action.
The case against Rangel, the former chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means committee, is the more complicated of the two cases now awaiting trial.
He’s charged with using House stationery and staff to solicit money for a New York college center named after him; soliciting donors with interests before the Ways and Means Committee, leaving the impression the money could influence official actions; failing to disclose at least $600,000 in assets and income in a series of inaccurate reports to Congress; using a rent-subsidized New York apartment designated for residential use as a campaign office; and failure to report to the IRS rental income from a unit in a Dominican Republic resort.
Waters, a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, is accused of trying to get federal money for a minority owned bank in which her husband is an investor. Some $12 million eventually was given to Boston-based OneUnited Bank by the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program, but Waters insisted — and federal regulators testified — that she had no role in the decision.
Rangel has admitted to some ethical lapses and denied other allegations. Waters has denied any wrongdoing, arguing she did nothing beyond setting up a meeting between U.S. banking regulators and officials with an association of minority banks that included OneUnited.
Waters said that when it became clear that the assistance would go to OneUnited, where her husband was an investor, she turned the matter over to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the Financial Services Committee.
Rangel, who just won his primary, was elected to his 20th term from his Harlem district two years ago with 89 percent of the vote. Waters was elected to her 10th term in 2008 with an 83 percent majority.
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Comments (47)
AmeriWoman
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 5:09pmCan you see these two under a R- majority…. that’ll get good.
Report Post »I hope they do hold of…bwahahaha.
Diamond Girl
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 3:29pmWas there ever any doubt this would happen…you can be sure the leftist msm is gleeful about this as well…as usual.
Report Post »alienguns
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 2:50pmI figured that was coming……these corrupt politicians aren’t going to do anything to one of their own anyway…they might be in the hot seat next time and want kid glove treatment…..All the useless slugs have to go
Report Post »caperman
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:51pmBoth will probably be re-elected, so it makes total sense to delay the trials until the known outcome of the Nov election. If the Dems hold on to Congress (doubtful) the swamp will stay as is. If the Repubs take over any swamp clearing will be portrayed as racist by all who know how use that card. Either way, Rangel and Waters aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Though, it would be interesting to watch both (oops, can’t forget Peloisi and Hoyer, too) sit by helpless while a new Congress “rights” our ship, so to speak.
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:47pmRangel is hilarious….
I loved his grandstanding last month – “I helped my liberals destroy republicans with propaganda and now you’re throwing me under the bus? why can young democrats break ethics rules but I cant? I’m gonna fight this all the way.”
^^ yeah, it took 30 minutes to imply just that….
Report Post »Jack007
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:23pmWhat Else Is Fxxking New !
Report Post »NoMarxist
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 11:31amLOL.. I‘m sure the ethics trials will go much better for the Dem’s when they no longer rule the roost.
Report Post »GlennBeckUsesVicksVaporub
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 11:01amToday’s honeydew list:
Report Post »Fix bathroom exhaust fan.
Change oil on the dodge.
Watch video of glenn beck and vicks vaporub.
Return fife and drum to music store.
flagbearer
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 10:23amWell, if this happens America will have proof that there is nothing ethical about the Ethics Committee. It’s just a bunch of politicians playing silly games at the expense of our nation, and all to keep their party in power.
Report Post »Midwest Belle
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:22amSurprise, surprise! Kind of exactly what I expected. Dems don’t want to air their dirty laundry before the election. Idiots. I can’t believe Rangle was re-elected. What sheep his “people” are.
Report Post »natstew
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 8:23amWe would be better off to elect rocks.
Report Post »jose wasabi
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 8:00amMORE proof of the corruption in Washington.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT = Term Limits by the people
Report Post »RobR
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:59amLucky break for Rangel and Waters as the timing will most likely keep their respective trials flying under the radar, while the entire world will be riveted to their TV sets, watching the Obama impeachment proceedings.
Report Post »DarthHubrys
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 6:00amIt would not surprise me at all if these two win again, look at the neighborhoods they represent. Really though “Congressional Ethics” is an oxymoron, like calling #44 a patriot. Pelosi is likely to win her seat again, and people are saying McCain is a shoe in.
Report Post »Senior Cadet
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 4:17amThey will delay this until after he is dead.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 1:03amThese investigations were never expected to happen by Nov. 2nd, that’s why each had their televised tantrums – they can’t wait anylonger…
Report Post »godsshield
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:42amwell looks like MLK was right – “judge by the content of thier character” so the color of thier skin isnt an issue here- unless its green $$$$
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:38amFirst, let us speak to our fellow citizens in these districts – respectfully, ARE YOU NUTS? You can’t seriously be considering saddling the American public with these two for another term, can you? We can’t afford their corruption any longer – surely you can find SOMEONE else! Perhaps a piece of lint could run?
Secondly, if you are outraged by the decision of the committee to wait, even longer, to do their jobs and deal with this behavior – voice your opinion:
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct – Phone: 202-225-7103; Fax: 202-225-7392; Office Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Report Post »Tazzy
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:43amYou said it all , and very well.
Report Post »GOTT-EM-MAUSER
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 1:05pmYou are speaking to the “Deaf” here. Both of these folks represent carefully Gerrymandered Districts that absolutely GARRANTEE that ONLY candidates of the CORRECT COLOR are elected. The overwhelming majority of the voters, are also Welfare Drones, bought for the price of a Big Mac. Texas has many many of these “Special Districts” that are routinely handed over to the “Minority Communities” to control as they wish. Most are now “Owned” by the “LA RAZA” and the blacks are not one bit happy about it. They are getting to see what the term “Racist” really means!! we will no doubt have “Reserved Muslim” districts soon. Great fun to watch, but nothing to be done about it. If the current Revolution hadn’t come along we could have gotten Panco Villa elected govenor in a landslide.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:32amMeredith Jessup writes, “…arguing she did nothing beyond setting up a meeting between U.S. banking regulators and officials with an association of minority banks that included OneUnited.”
You left out a critical point. This meeting was attended only by OneUnited, no other banks.
Readers are encouraged to research this OneUnited bank fraud; there are a lot more damaging details not being well reported.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Dhole
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:22amIf Republicans take the House, then pursue these matters, then that would be blatant RACISM!!!!! Just ask the Rev. Al! NO! Don’t even think of it! No way am I going to mention asking a second opinion from our Irish- American President, O”Bama.
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 1:01amI believe Waters has already asked why the ethics committee is only investigating members of the black congressional caucus – she’s already played the race card!
Report Post »dm0911
Posted on September 17, 2010 at 11:31pmIt just proves that ethics currently are non existent in Washington D.C.
Report Post »The Bees
Posted on September 17, 2010 at 11:21pmSo Bonnie & Clyde have a reprieve until Nov 3rd.
No ethics or respect for the Offices they Hold.
Pathetic vermin!
Report Post »RojBlake
Posted on September 17, 2010 at 10:42pmIsn’t this kind of stupid? I mean if the Repubs actually take the house won’t the likelyhood be that any penalties will be more harsh? Like maybe expulsion, as opposed to censure or repremand?
Report Post »beekeeper
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 12:56amThe committee is bipartisan, all punishments have to be agreed to by both parties – the party in charge doesn’t have an advantage (as I understand it)…
Report Post »PostProgressiveAmerican
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 6:24amKind of like trying to sue a lawyer for malpractice…good luck. When both sides are corrupt and see that they could be in Rangel’s situation one day, it is no wonder they are trying to settle/plea bargain and offered to let him ‘retire with dignity.’
So much for honor, ethics, personal responsibility and equal justice.
Report Post »RojBlake
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:05amThat’s true for the commitee, but my understanding is that once it becomes a trial/hearing the number of members involved increases…I may be wrong but I think that’s what happens.
Report Post »VindexPoplicola
Posted on September 17, 2010 at 10:31pmI’m soooo….shocked. Did anyone really expect different?
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on September 17, 2010 at 10:09pmYa think?
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 7:59amDefinition of TRAITOR
1: one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty
2: one who commits treason
Now put the word CONGRESS in for TRAITOR!!! This is the ONLY reason there IS a TEA PARTY.
Crist is a TRAITOR for running as an Independent. Specter was a TRAITOR for jumping ship also!!
Beck has a rally about CHARACTER, the LEFT is all over him and the people that attended it!!!
Many of WE THE PEOPLE are sick of your PARTY POLITICS. The reason the center has moved RIGHT though is not for the Republican PARTY so much. It is that the other choice is to vote for PROGRESSIVES,SOCIALISTS and COMMUNIST like the COMMUNIST O’Donnel will be running against in Delaware!!
Look at all the Dems that are running away from the “Speech Giver” and the Health-Care Bill they voted for just to get votes and stay in office. THIS is what WE THE PEOPLE are sick of!!
Mandatory Health-Care was not a tax and Steph read him the freaking definition. Now that it is going to lose in court it is a TAX!!
WE THE PEOPLE do not mind paying tax’s it is the CRAP we pay for. $800,000 dollars of STIMULUS money to teach AFRICAN men how to wash their Genitalia !!!
BETTER DEAD THAN RED !!
TERM LIMITS NOW !!!
FAIR TAX NOW !!
NO MORE PENSIONS FOR CONGRESS!!
NO MORE CAREER POLITICIANS!!
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on September 18, 2010 at 9:43am79USMC83,
You are really proud of that post. I have read it 5 times so far in several different threads.
Report Post »NotWaiting4Godot
Posted on September 19, 2010 at 4:07amI hope that after the Congress comes under new management, the activities of the czars will be audited. If only to discover under-the-radar “fundamental changes’ that merit a fast rewind.
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