Rangel to step down as chairman

US Representative Charles Rangel

In another blow for President Barack Obama's healthcare reform, US Representative Charles Rangel announced today that he sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asking for a leave of absence from his post as chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee - only a day after denying he was stepping down on a temporarily basis.

Rangel has stepped down saying he didn't want to jeopardize election prospects for fellow Democrats.

The 20-term Harlem congressman held a news conference on short notice, telling reporters, "My chairmanship is bringing so much attention to the press, and in order to avoid my colleagues having to defend me during their elections, I have this morning sent a letter" asking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "to grant me a leave of absence until such time as the ethics committee completes its work."

Rangel's decision is going to be a blow for Obama and majority Democrats in Congress, coming at a time when the party is scrambling to save sweeping healthcare overhaul legislation that has been pending on Capitol Hill for well over a year and still assessing a surging anti-incumbent fervor among the voters.

Rangel, a Democrat from New York, declined to give details as to what prompted his decision to relinquish leadership of the panel, which also has jurisdiction over Social Security, trade and Medicare.

Opposition to Randel

Republicans had been calling for Rangel to step aside since last year, when the House ethics panel expanded its investigation into his trips, assets and income, use of rent-controlled apartments in New York and his solicitation of contributions for university center to be named after him. After the panel released its findings last Friday on the Caribbean trips,Rangel started losing support among rank-and-file Democrats as well.

Rangel, who met privately Tuesday with Pelosi, is accused by the House ethics panel of violating gift rules.

During the press conference, which lasted only minutes, Rangel said he requested the leave of absence until the Ethics Committee has completed its work. He said staying on would "distract me from what I have to do in terms of completion of the president's health bill."

Rangel added that he had offered to step down "from the very beginning" of the inquiry. He declined to take questions from reporters.

Arcuri and many of the other Democrats who had urged Rangel to step down as committee chairman are facing tough re-election races this year.

"We have far too many critical issues to deal with right now, ranging from the economy to health care reform, and can't afford to allow this investigation to distract us," Rep. Mike Arcuri of Utica said in his press statement.

Jodie Humphries

Jodie Humphries graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA Hons in Creative Writing in 2008. She has worked for GDS Publishing for the digital group since July 2009. She has previous experience with writing for the web, running her own website since April 2007.

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