GOP Leader Tells Rangel to Quit Panel

Rep. Charles Rangel heads up the Ways and Means committee one of the most powerful in Washington, it writes the nation's tax laws.

In a letter to Rangel, House Minority Leader John Boehner tells the Harlem Democrat that "you have an obligation to set the pace when it comes to standards of official conduct. By relinquishing the gavel voluntarily while the ethics panel does its work, you demonstrate your respect for this obligation."

A Rangel spokesperson said the congressman has no intention of moving aside.

"Congressman Rangel is confident that his records have been subjected to an exhaustive and complete review, and that the amendments accurately reflect his financial interests," Elbert Garcia said.

He said Rangel would have no further comment on the investigations until the ethics committee completes its work.

So far, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has shown no indication she would ask Rangel to step aside.

Political expert Steve Kornacki says Pelosi can't because Rangel is simply too powerful.

Rangel failed to disclose hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and assets between 2002 and 2006 on his House financial disclosure forms.

In his Harlem district where he has served for decades, Rangel enjoys widespread, but not total support, on the issue of keeping his chairmanship.

This week the Washington Post's editorial board called for Rangel to quit Ways and Means, but it appears for now he is certainly safe from any challenge to his seat representing Harlem.