GOP Drafts Anti-Rangel Resolution

The House GOP is planning a new resolution to ask Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to step aside as Ways and Means Committee chairman–in the wake of revelations he underreported his assets.

GOP aides say they have been working on the draft for weeks–long before Rep. Joe Wilson bellowed “You lie!” and earned his own resolution of disapproval.

But part of the motivation, I’m told, was payback at the Democratic leadership for forcing through what many Rs thought was a mean-spirited attempt to spank the South Carolina Republican, even after he personally apologized to President Barack Obama.

Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) has announced he’s introducing an anti-Rangel “privileged resolution”–one that theoretically must be voted on the floor. But the Dems, as they have done in the past, could head it off by blocking it with a procedural vote that shields members from voting about one of their own.

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Carter “says he will give Chairman Rangel until next week to voluntarily resign the chairmanship of Ways and Means, or he will introduce a privileged resolution to force his removal,” writes a spokesman.

“To allow Mr. Rangel to continue to serve as chairman is the same as allowing a confessed bank robber to serve as chairman of the Banking Committee during the trial,” Carter said.

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