Rangel Asking For Donations To His Pet Project From Firms With Business Before His Committee

Washington Post:

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel is soliciting donations from corporations with business interests before his panel, hoping to raise $30 million for a new academic center that will house his papers when he retires.

The New York Democrat has penned letters on congressional stationery and has sought meetings to ask for corporate and foundation contributions for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York, a project that caused controversy last year when he won a $1.9 million congressional earmark to help start it. Republican critics dubbed the project Rangel's "Monument to Me."

The congressman has corralled more federal money as well, securing two Department of Housing and Urban Development grants totaling $690,500 to help renovate the college-owned Harlem brownstone that will house the center, according to HUD and school officials.

"It is a personal dream of mine to see this Center at City College, which resides in my congressional district and where so many talented young men and women from the community have gotten an excellent education," Rangel wrote in a March 7, 2007, letter to real estate mogul Donald Trump, one of the business leaders the congressman has solicited.

Ethics experts and government watchdogs say it is troubling that one of the nation's most powerful lawmakers would seek money from businesses that have interests before the committee he leads. Rangel's panel has broad jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, Social Security and Medicare.

More generally, many say it is a bad idea to name a facility after an incumbent politician who might be tempted to channel public money to it rather than to more worthy causes.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[rollingdivision]

Just as Speaker Pelosi said, more of the culture of corruption. Sadly, his free pass is already written and nothing of any consequence will be done.

[HeIsTheOne]

Steve Ellis, vice president of the nonpartisan Taxpayers for Common Sense, said: "People in positions of power have to be very conscious of the coercive effect of their requests."

Rangel's manueverings remind me of a former president who solicited and received millions to get his library built.

[Grunty1]

If theis were still a nation under the rule of law, this would be enough to strip him for his powers and throw him in prison.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.

-- New Yahker

[ggmome]

Who did he vehemently support? Also, how many votes for Obama came from his Precinct in Harlem? Lets try ZERO, ZILCH, NOTTA ONE!

Birds of a feather flock together. I'll scratch yours, if you scratch mine mentality of the 'old school politics', to wit, I want to see or hear no more of... He was the last hold out of the Supers to come out for Obama... In my home town, there is an Avenue that snakes through the city, from one end to the outer reaches of the City Limits, it is called Ridge Avenue. The Avenue is used to describe personalities that are flawed with devious intentions. So that Avenue best describes Rangel!

[Countess]

Rangel is the classic corrupt politician that the media so dearly love. Obama could not get a single vote in his district despite getting over 90 percent of the black vote everywhere else. It is time for a new generation of corrupt lawyers to take over.

[geobushono]

The powerful NY Democratic Party would do well to retire Rep Rangel.
Certainly there is someone in the 15th District with the progressive credentials to challenge this good soldier who unfortunately, is backsliding on his committment to the people he is elected to represent.

...and in the CA 8th, retire Pelosi..Cindy for Congress

[RTIII]

Right On!

Cindy Sheehan is running against Nancy. Help Cindy - give Generously at CindyForCongress.org

THANKS, we need the help!
.

[truthyguy]

BAD FORM, CHARLIE.

[barkingcat]

Rangel...what are you doing?

Take your hand OUT of the cookie jar...now go to your room and sit in the corner.

[scooperss]

Wow. So he's blatantly ASKING for bribes?
Sheesh. Wonder if this will even go any further.

[lizr]

I'm outraged. He should be fired by the New Yorkers.

Its' corruption pure and simple.

[HouseOfRoberts]

This is entirely inappropriate and I AM outraged. Check my profile if you doubt my veracity. This is the type of crap that got the Dems out of power in the first place.
"...soliciting donations from corporations with business interests before his panel...". Unconsionable!

[renatam]

Clinton Inc. lost so Charlie has to hustle to accomplish what he would have had four years -- and Clinton backing -- to facilitate. These monmuments to ego to house "papers" really should STOP. Clinton Inc. has amassed approaching a BILLION dollars, cumulatively -- leveraging the "Foundation" and "charities" as a cover. The "donors" are unnamed and unvetted. Tax-free "investment" for special favors, commoditizing the Presidency and future of the American people by its legislators. Very sad and out-of-control.

Ironically, I am a supporter of Charlie's -- though NOT Clinton Inc. He has remained a Harlem resident when many of us left in the 70s. Of course, like many affluent/powerful New York City residents, he has vacation home(s) elsewhere. Nevertheless, I am curious about the NYT choosing this particular time to question Charlie's residence at Lenox Terrace -- when they never did when drug kingpins and others of that ilk ran the rest of us out of our neighborhood. Curious timing. VERY INTERESTING. Guess this is the payback Clinton Inc. and their media surrogates offer when the dean of NY politicians has to ask Hillary to stop her Campaign.

Very interesting timing for all this scrutiny of a 78 year old man functioning as he always has -- Uptown, where nobody cared until now the real estate is on the rise. Who is pulling the strings??? Our Senators from NYS???

[Paralogos]

Gosh, if he were a Republican, this comment section would be full of outrage, now wouldn't it?

[Pquilson]

I agree. The shame is, it does not matter the political party. Corruption is the same, no matter the party, and this reeks of it. Where is the Congressional Ethics Committee? Asleep at the wheel, I guess.

[greginwva]

I lost any respect I had for him a long time ago.He was supported Hillary then had his wife pander to his constituants by announcing her support of Obama.He did urge Obama to ro raise money from hard working Americans to run for President then told CNN that Obama had no chance but he needed to run to get the campaign experiance.

[Grunty1]

This looks awfully Republican to me...

[ibsteve2u]

Another example of why I think the institution of "Washington, D.C." is broken and will remain broken until the legislative branch of our government is returned to the people - by forcing our Representatives and Senators to stay home and conduct the nation's business electronically.

Having the hometown media as well as Aunt Mabel and JoeBob down the road observe who is repeatedly going in and out of your office would do wonders at helping you remember just exactly who it is you are supposed to be representing.

The idea always gets pooh-poohed with airy excuses about "politics needs face time" - but in a day and age where the lobbyists have become slick business organizations that are guaranteed more access through proximity and deep pockets to the politicians than the people who they are supposed to be representing are...