Rangel confronts ethics panel leaders

Rangel (D-N.Y.) could be seen Thursday evening approaching
the chairwoman and ranking Republican on the ethics committee on the House
floor.

In a confrontation that lasted about 10 minutes, Rangel
appeared to be angrily addressing Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and Jo Bonner
(R-Ala.). At one point he waved a finger in Lofgren’s face.

The panel on Thursday rebuked Rangel for accepting
reimbursement for trips to the Caribbean in 2007 and 2008, and also ordered him
to repay the costs of the trip.

{mosads}It said that Rangel staff members knew the trip was being
paid by corporate sponsors. After winning back the House in 2006, Democrats
approved new rules forbidding such reimbursements.

The committee said it found no evidence that Rangel knew the
trip was paid by corporate sponsors, and Rangel appeared unhappy that the
ethics committee faulted his conduct.

 “Common sense
dictates that members of Congress shouldn’t be held responsible for what could
be the wrongdoing or the error of their staff unless they think the member knew
or should have known. And there is nothing in the record on that,” Rangel told
reporters Thursday night.