Essex, CT - Janet Peckinpaugh, Republican candidate for Congress in Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District, today called on Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) to resign his seat Congress.
"Congressman Rangel has, according to the House Ethics Committee, which is chaired by a Democratic member of the House, violated a number of provisions of the Code of Ethics that govern a member of Congress' activity" Peckinpaugh said. "Congressman Rangel must resign immediately."
Congressman Charles Rangel, a Democrat and a 40 year member of Congress has been charged by the House Ethics Committee with numerous ethics violations, including the failure to report income for tax purposes, failure to report assets on his House financial disclosure, pushing legislation for contributors to the Rangel Center- in which he has an interest - preserving tax break legislation for an oil drilling company whose president was making contributions to the Rangel Center; using rent controlled apartments in New York City for his personal and campaign use, when rent stabilization is only supposed to apply to a person's primary residence.
"The allegations against Congressman Rangel, a 40 year incumbent, are mind boggling. It is even more troubling that Congressman Rangel is implying that these failures were innocent mistakes. When average Americans are struggling to pay their taxes, hoping to keep their jobs, Congressman Rangel is avoiding paying his taxes, while keeping his government paycheck and government benefits. Enough is enough" said Peckinpaugh.
"Unfortunately, our own Congressman, Joe Courtney, has been curiously silent on this matter. Joe Courtney must immediately denounce Congressman Rangel, and must join with others in the Congress who are calling for Congressman Rangel to resign. Anything less from Congressman Courtney would be support for the unethical actions of Congressman Rangel" continued Peckinpaugh. "Joe Courtney must decide, either he stands with the taxpayers or he stands with Congressman Rangel, the choice is his, but he can't be with both" concluded Peckinpaugh.
