House Tables Resolution To Censure Rep. Rangel

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) had a tough July, and yesterday he had to scramble to keep it from ending on another down note.

Rangel and his fellow Democrats beat back a resolution by House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) that would have publicly censured the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee over his rental of four New York City apartments -- including one he used as a campaign office -- at below-market rates.

The measure branded the apartment deal a violation of the House gift ban and said Rangel "has dishonored himself and brought discredit to the House." The resolution was tabled on a 254 to 138 vote, with 25 Republicans joining Democrats.

"Instead of keeping their promise to 'drain the swamp' of corruption in Washington, House Democrats are sinking in it," Boehner said in a statement after the vote.

The resolution came just hours after Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges.

Rangel drew criticism after the New York Times reported on his apartment deal and The Washington Post scrutinized his fundraising for an academic center that bears his name. Rangel denied wrongdoing and asked the House ethics committee to investigate.

Rangel attempted to head off yesterday's action by asking the GOP to limit the resolution to asking for an ethics probe. He said for "mean-spirited people in the minority" to suggest he is a discredit to Congress is wrong.

"I wanted to make certain that if I did something wrong, let other members know what line there is to cross," Rangel said in a telephone interview. "And in the other area, I needed them to help me to remove any question of gifts where no gifts exist."

Washingtonpost.com staff writer Ben Pershing contributed to this report.