[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/10/art.rangel.cnn.jpg caption="Rangel is not resigning."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Rep. Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, said Tuesday he would not step down as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee in the face of calls from the Republican leader in the House for him to resign.
Rangel has been under fire for failing to report income from a rental property he owns in the Dominican Republic. He admitted Tuesday he had not paid tax on the income, but said it was a mistake and that he would pay whatever back taxes he owes.
A Democrat who taxes the hell out of everybody else but "mistakenly" doesn't pay his own taxes?
Say it ain't so!
OR, MAYBE CNN DIDN'T LIKE THE COMMENT ABOUT THE INTERNAL REVENUE AND THAT THE IRS SHOULD BE HARSH AND PENALIZE RANGEL JUST LIKE THE IRS SANCTIONS ORDINARY AMERICAN CITIZENS WITH IMPOSSIBLE FINES FOR BEING ONE WEEK LATE. KICK THIS MAN OUT OF CONGRESS............RANGEL IS NO GOOD AND DOESN'T UPHOLD THE LAWS OF THIS GOVERNMENT AND THIS NATION. IS THAT WHAT CNN DOESN'T LIKE?
This is a mistake and Mr. Rangel is an honest man. That said it will be nice to see McCain and Sarah start cleaning up Washington.
The Republicans should be investigating their own corrupt party before they start picking on Rangel. So what's the status of all the millions of taxpayers money that when missing in Iraq? Why aren't they Republicans calling for an investigation?
Wait. John McCain failed to pay property tax on one of his many homes. Why didn't the Republicans insist that he resign from the senate?
ANY CROOKED POLITICIAN WHO EVADES THE IRS SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOSE HIS JOB IN OUR CONGRESS. WHAT RANGEL HAS DONE IS THUMB HIS NOSE AT THE LAWS THAT GOVERN THIS NATION AND HE SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO "PAY WHAT HE OWES.........." AS EASY AS THAT? I DON'T THINK SO!!!
I didn't know that if you collect rental income in a foreign country you need to declare it as income in the U.S. But, as chairman of the finance committee, whichever on it is, he of all people should know tax laws.
Another criminal in Washington that needs to be removed. We need change! America needs John and Sarah!!!
It wasn't a "mistake".....it was intentional. He's only sorry because he got caught. He needs to resign.
My boss,little god,Rush Limbaugh hates Rangel.He wants me to attack him as a diversionary tactic so Sarah can keep hiding from the media on the issues.
of course not he is a democrap they dont do anything wrong. EVER, and since he is black this is just racism at its worst!!!!!!!
Rangel needs to resign this position. Doing so would show that change can happen...and the dems would still hold the chirmanship...give it up Charlie.
Barack....good for you...tell mccain it is time to talk about thsi issues not the fluff.
You can't be a Tax Cheat and chair a committee in the House!!! Wow...where are his morals? Please, please vote for McCain and Palin, and let's clean up the mess in Washinton 🙂
Do not resign. Don't resign. If you resign, then everybody else in office and in Washington should resign as well.
Then pay it and shut up Rangel.
Another one needs to bite the dust – Rangel
Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
What an utter joke on American tax payers
This shows that neither party is better than the other. Their are corrupt individuals in both. Please remember that there are hundreds of politicians that are very good and just that you will never hear of. Please dont let the bad apples make you think that everyone is bad. There are good people who do progress and make good changes for this country. I heard someone say on the radio that most of the time the best politicians you never hear from because they are busy doing their jobs. Personally I have lots of respect for Gov Jindal in that case as he said he would not run for VP because he already had a job and wanted to do good work there.
Yeah, we need John and Sara! The Republicans have short memories. McCain has NEVER stood for change, he has supported Bush over 90% of the time. What kind of change is that?
WHY DON'T WE GET RID OF ANY PERSON WHO OWES THE IRS...DREDIT CARD DEBT...BANK LOANS, SO ON ANS SO FORTH. NO MATTER HOW MINOR OR LARGE OPEN YOUR CLOSET DOOR AND SEE WHAT FALLS OUT.
I wish the state's Attorney General would look into tax evasion, but I'm sure he's a democrat, so he probably won't. At least this will keep Rangel's big mouth shut in the future because he knows if he takes any swipes at any Republican he doesn't like, this will be the first thing brought up against him. This really shows the values of this man, and really his political party. ME ME ME.
I love it when Charlie Rangel is on TV. He is great!
However, sadly, I must agree that the Republicans have a right to ask him to step down as Chairman.
Remember Trett Lott, he made a comment that was wrong but he was forced to resign as Majority Leader. That was making a comment.
Rep. Rangel admitted he hasn't paid taxes and that is worse than making a statement.
It's sad but fair is fair!
Linda, Salem MA
What a jerk.
Doesn't he have a Cadillac paid for by taxpayers? See the NYTimes.
This guy is a typical New York politician!
This is nothing compared to the corruption which is rampant in our government and particularly the Republican Party.
Pay the taxes and move on. End of story.
You need to resign.