Posted on 09/21/2011 6:22:50 PM PDT by Libloather
Awkward: House leaders to honor Rangel nine months after censure
By Russell Berman - 09/21/11 04:43 PM ET
It may be one of the more awkward honorary ceremonies in recent memory.
On Thursday, House leaders will pay tribute to Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), less than a year after the House formally censured the former chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will speak at a ceremony to unveil Rangel’s official portrait as chairman of the storied committee, which the longtime New York Democrat led from 2007 until March 2010, when party leaders pressured him to give up the post amid a growing ethics scandal.
In December, the House voted overwhelmingly, 333-79, to censure Rangel over rules violations that stemmed from unpaid taxes on a villa he owned in the Dominican Republic, undisclosed financial assets and the improper use of his office for fundraising.
The portrait itself was the subject of controversy. Just nine months into his term as chairman, Rangel asked the Federal Election Commission for permission to use campaign funds to pay for the portrait, which his lawyer said would cost more than $64,000.
When pressed about the pricey picture, Rangel joked to reporters at the time that he would have preferred a mural.
The FEC confirmed that Rangel could bill the expense to his campaign, which records show he did in 2008, according to the Sunlight Foundation.
The ceremony on Thursday will be a particular honor for Rangel, a decorated combat veteran who was the first African American to lead the Ways and Means Committee. "As I walk around the Capitol," he said in 2007, "the only black folks I see are slaves holding the goddamn horses."
Rangel told The Hill on Wednesday that he was looking forward to the ceremony, which will be followed by a private reception.
“I don’t think I have to share how pleased I am that we’re moving forward. What happened last year is last year,” Rangel said.
In addition to Boehner, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), New York Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (D), and the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), will speak at the event. The current Ways and Means chairman, Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), will moderate.
Will a dart board do?
gag me
And Congress wonders why they are hated...
Who ever proves to be a turncoat shall be replaced come election time. At this point in time we don’t need to reach across the isle we need to defeat these criminals where they stand and thier appeasers
Unreal! Congress kicking the U.S. taxpayers right in the chops. Nice.
A nation gone mad.
Rewarding bad behavior - expect more.
Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the LORD detests them both.
Can’t help but think of Col. Lakin.
That A-hole Rangel (aka Sean Hannity’s “good friend”) should have been perp marched out of the House in shackles and chains and ought to be doing hard time now. He’s a liar and cheat, and a disgrace - no matter what color he is.
Effing bunch of azz kissing, goober smooching morons.
Boehner and Camp MUST BE VOTED OUT or put at the lowest rank in shame...
Another reason I have left the RNC behind and will only vote on principles for principled people.
FROG MARCHED!!
for a 3 year stint as chairman??? - give me a break!!!
Guess he didn't get the special coupon in the mail from Sears Portrait Studios -- $9.99, no sitting fee AND a free 10x13!
Seriously -- any and all "Republicans" who particpate in this sham "honoring" should be shot post-haste tarred, feathered and run out of town!
Hey, why not raise house standards?
Put up a giant t*rd and honor it.
Good grief, I have NO respect AT ALL for our congresscritters.
May they all rest with dead Ted.
Perhaps we can grow a few replacements with cojones and morals.
“Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will speak at a ceremony to unveil Rangel’s official portrait as chairman of the storied committee”
will he cry again?
Good grief.
Banana Republic celebrates itself.
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