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Rep. Waters: 'Many members' suffer from disclosure problems like Rep. Rangel

By Michael O'Brien - 10/07/09 09:59 AM ET

"Many members" of Congress suffer from the same disclosure issues as Rep. Charles Rangel (D.N.Y.), one of his allies said Wednesday.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) downplayed the seriousness of allegations against Rangel that he failed to disclose sources of income and pay taxes on some properties, saying that many lawmakers suffer from innocent lapses in judgment when filing mandatory financial disclosure forms.

"I want to tell you, there are many members who, if you go back over all of their records, over all of the years, you're going to find that there were disclosures that were not made," Waters said during an appearance on MSNBC Wednesday morning.

Republicans are seeking to force Rangel from his position as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee by offering a privileged resolution from Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) to mandate Rangel step aside.

Waters defended Rangel, saying the Harlem congressman is making an effort to correct the records and pay his debts.

"What happens is, unfortunately with the requirements for disclosure that we all have, mistakes are made," she said. "And you do get a chance to correct them. And so it looks as if he is correcting those mistakes."

Waters said that Rangel should not step down from his chairmanship, but should continue working until ethics investigations into his finances have concluded.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/62009-waters-many-members-suffer-from-problems-like-rangels

Comments (46)

Maxine said, ""I want to tell you, there are many members who, if you go back over all of their records, over all of the years, you're going to find that there were disclosures that were not made," ——-> You can bet the farm that Maxine is one of those members. Looks like the crooks are circling the wagons…BY ThurthfulTerry on 10/07/2009 at 11:35
I remember Pelosi saying she was going to drain the swamp. What happen, she discover the blood sucking low lifes were mainly in her party? Rangle should go. and any others that fail to disclose tax information should follow.BY Mark X on 10/07/2009 at 12:04
How ironic. Maxine Waters is currently under investigation for ethics violations and possible criminal violations related to OneUnited bank.Her husband enjoyed a chair with the board of directors for this bank until this scandal broke. Waters and her husband have at least a quarter-million stock ownership of this bank. In essence, Maxine Waters directed bailout money to this bank for her own personal financial gain. This is both an ethical violation and a criminal violation.Rangel and Waters should be made to share a federal prison cell; two peas in a pod.Okpulot TahaChoctaw NationPuma PoliticsBY Okpulot Taha on 10/07/2009 at 12:05
I think there should be an investigation into Mrs. Waters statements. Just because "there are many members who, if you go back over all of their records, over all of the years, you're going to find that there were disclosures that were not made," does not give any members or Mr. Rangel a pass.BY Mad Mom on 10/07/2009 at 12:26
Rangel deserves the same treatment I would receive having deliberately falsified records and failing to pay required taxes. Why is he not being investigated by the ethics committee and FBI for tax evasion? Heck - investigate Maxin Waters, Chris Dodd, Barney Franks et al for their participation in the mortgage deregulation scheme and shakedown.BY NCtaxconsultant on 10/07/2009 at 12:27
That's OK baby, it happens to LOTS of guys…BY Maxy W on 10/07/2009 at 12:49
Major House cleaning coming for the 2010 elections.Get ready to hand off that gavel Nancy.BY Alcove-One on 10/07/2009 at 12:58
Maxine Waters defending Charlie Rangel? You can't make this s*** up.BY Relity Check on 10/07/2009 at 13:42
It would matter to Maxine and the Democrats if it were a Republican. We'd never hear the end of it. My bet is, yes, there are a lot of Democrats with these problems. We've already uncovered lots of them in Obama's appointments. Why is it that its always just a simple lapse of judgment or an innocent mistake when it's a Democrat crook and they always get a "do-over" or it just fixes everything and wipes the slate clean if they go back and pay the taxes, etc.? I'm sick of it. The Democrat Party is a party of corruption and cover-up and lack of accountability.BY Texasbelle on 10/07/2009 at 13:58
I hope they keep talking!BY melindago on 10/07/2009 at 14:13

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