If the Democrats take over either or both chamber of Congress, the commitee chairs will obviously switch, in most cases to the existing ranking member of each panel. For the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which determines tax policy, a Democratic majority would place Charles Rangel in charge. Robert Novak gives Chicago Sun-Times readers a taste of what people can expect from a Rangel-led committee:

Republican-oriented tax lobbyists are interpreting late-campaign solicitations as a requirement for a ticket to enter the office of Rep. Charles Rangel as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in a Democratic-controlled House. Both free-lance and corporate lobbyists have received telephone solicitations for Rangel's leadership PAC (political action committee), which distributes funds to Democratic congressional candidates who need them. Rangel is virtually unopposed in his Harlem district. The lobbyists, who give almost exclusively to Republicans, are told that the contribution would be ''a nice gesture for Charlie.''

Rangel has already told people what we can expect from his committee, if he takes the chair, in terms of policy: a string of tax increases, as the Democrats undo the Bush tax cuts. Unfortunately, those cuts came with a sunset clause, meaning that they will disappear without explicit reauthorization from Congress. The Republicans couldn't get that done before the election, and Rangel says he won't allow it afterwards -- and the resultant increases would be immune from a presidential veto.

Now we can see what we can expect from a Rangel-led committee on an ethics basis as well. Those who pay their tribute to Charles' PAC will be viewed with favor; all others can take a number. It's a bit more blatant than Americans prefer, and another reason to be sure that Rangel never gets into that position.

And let's not forget who will get the largesse that Rangel intends to take out of our hides if he takes charge of tax policy.

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry is

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Meet The Proposed House Leadership, Part I:

» Meet The Proposed House Leadership, Part I from Bill's Bites
If the Democrats take over either or both chamber of Congress, the commitee chairs will obviously switch, in most cases to the existing ranking member of each panel. For the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which determines tax policy, [Read More]

Tracked on October 16, 2006 7:48 AM

» Meet The Proposed House Leadership from Hyscience
An alternative title here could, and perhaps should be: "Reasons For Republicans And Independents To Turn Out In Droves To Defeat Democratic Candidates." [Read More]

Tracked on October 16, 2006 10:09 AM