Posted on 12/02/2010 4:53:24 PM PST by speciallybland
In a historic action against one of its own, the House Thursday voted 333 to 79 to censure Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) on 11 charges of violating rules of the chamber -- a vote that overwhelming yet clearly wrenching for many of his colleagues.
Following the vote, Rangel walked down to the well of the House to receive his public rebuke, alone and looking somber, as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) read a list of the violations.
When she concluded, Rangel responded, "I just want all of you to know that I know in all my heart that I will not be judged by this Congress, but by my life, my actions, and my contributions to society."
Before the vote, Rangel the 80-year-old Harlem lawmaker said in a 6-minute address that he brought these events "upon myself."
Rangel also apologized to his colleagues "for putting you in this awkward position," recalled it was 60 years ago this week he had been wounded in the service of his country in Korea, and said he "wants to continue to service this Congress and this country."
But Rangel also continued to argue that a fairer punishment based on House precedent would have been a reprimand. And two colleagues sitting on his right and left -- Reps. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) and Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) both took up that same argument on his behalf.
But in the end, that argument did not prevail, with the House rejecting an amendment to reduce the punishment down to a reprimand.
Three Republicans who favored reprimand over censure were Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), Don Young (R-Alaska), and Ron Paul (R-Texas).
(Excerpt) Read more at hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com ...
Good. Can we send him to jail now?
Some punishment.... they shake their finger at him and say, “Shame! Shame!”
We’d be in jail.
“Three Republicans who favored reprimand over censure were Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), Don Young (R-Alaska), and Ron Paul (R-Texas).”
Duly noted.
Now send him to the Big House.
Pathetic...parasite..chiseler...schnorer
Unfortunately, nothing is going to happen to him. His oh, so severe punishment was standing in front of Congress and having Nan read aloud his misdeeds. Then he got to return to his seat as if nothing had happened.
Next?
So Much for Ron Paul being ethical.
A House Censure... similar in effectiveness as a UN Security Council sternly worded resolution... “Stop! Or we’ll tell you to stop again!!”
I could stand up through this ridiculous 'censure' with a smile on my face eating jumbo shrimp cocktail the whole time pretending I'm not even listening to their stupid crap.
This punishment means nothing. Less than nothing.
“”Next?””
Maxine Waters. I would prefer to see her censured and expelled....but I ‘m a day dreamer.
I watched the entire thing on C-SPAN. House members first voted for an amendment and then voted for the censure. Both times the chairman or speaker took an oral vote first and said it was his ‘opinion’ that the amendment passed and that the vote for censure failed. Both times he was proven wrong and by a very wide margin. It’s amazing how the rules allowed for that bastard to try and hijack the vote based on his ‘opinion’ when he was clearly lying both times.
Ron Paul actually voted for the censure after he voted for the amendment
Ron Paul is a loon and he proves it every time he opens his mouth.
Charlie is lucky this didn’t happen in 2011 — they would’ve thrown the book at him as he deserves. This whole affair just shows that Charlie belongs to the privileged democrat class.
Oh, the HORROR!! They’re going to send him a *GASP* STERNLY WORDED LETTER now, aren’t they?? OH THE HUGH MANATEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
/sarc
Charles Rangel, who was in Korea............
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