Opinion

DITCH CHARLIE

Are congressional Democrats truly committed to dealing with the economic and fiscal policy challenges they face next year?

The answer will be seen in how they address their increasingly problematic Charlie Rangel situation.

Scarcely a day goes by without yet another ethical impropriety coming to light regarding the chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee.

Last Wednesday, the DC-based National Legal and Policy Center urged the House Ethics Committee to expand its ongoing Rangel probe to include the recent revelation that he took a “homestead” tax deduction meant for year-round DC residents – though he legally resides in New York.

Tuesday, The New York Times delved into the relationship between Rangel and oil-drilling businessman Eugene Isenberg – who made a $1 million pledge toward building Rangel’s school for public service at City College of New York. Rangel later preserved a controversial offshore tax loophole that saved Isenberg’s company, Nabors, millions.

Rangel’s previous ethical woes, though troubling, were largely personal: not paying taxes on property in the Caribbean; using one of four rent-stabilized apartments as a campaign office; improperly storing a car in a House parking garage.

The Isenberg-Nabors deal is, potentially, far more serious: It reeks of a quid pro quo between Rangel’s official duties and fund-raising for his personal project.

The Times reported that Rangel held meetings the same day, at the same hotel, with Isenberg to discuss the CCNY project and then with Nabors’ chief lobbyist on the tax loophole.

But what are House Democrats doing?

Speaker Pelosi has all but ruled out relieving Rangel of his chairmanship, pending the Ethics Committee probe.

Rangel’s “fear” of that panel was illustrated by how quickly he reported himself: He knows it’s rare for members to get much more than a slap on the wrist.

Indeed, Pelosi’s statement that the ethics committee promises to finish its work by Jan. 3 – too soon for them to have even begun looking at the newest allegations – shows how unserious the probe is.

Thus, bolder Democrats on the Ways & Means Committee need to step forward.

Tax and spending bills begin in that committee: Do its members really think Rangel can credibly push through an ambitious agenda, given the cloud over his head?

Charlie Rangel has fatally compromised his effectiveness as chairman of one of the most powerful congressional panels.

If Pelosi won’t act, surely a Ways & Means Committee member will, no?

There is nothing sacred about committee chairs: Earlier this month, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) dethroned the very dean of the House – John Dingell, in Congress since 1955 – to take over the Energy and Commerce Committee.

That power play was about ideology. Many Dems saw Dingell as too pro-business.

This one is about ethics.

The Obama team will have enough to worry about without having its tax and spending bills drafted by a profoundly ethically challenged committee chairman.

The new president himself surely must wonder: Can’t Democrats do better?