Rangel apologizes for putting House in ‘awkward position’

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) apologized Thursday for putting the House in an awkward position before a floor vote on a censure resolution.

In a brief statement on the House floor, Rangel apologized to the crowd of lawmakers “for putting you in this very awkward position today.” The 80-year-old congressman admitted he has made mistakes but said they were not severe enough to warrant censure.

“I have made some serious mistakes. I do believe that rules are made to be enforced,” Rangel said. “Senior members should act in a way as a model for new and less experienced members.”

But he pleaded with his colleagues: “If you are breaking new ground, I ask for fairness.”

Rangel argued “the humiliation of a censure” should not apply to him because the lead counsel on the ethics committee did not accuse him of corruption.