U.S. Rep. Jim Himes says he thinks Charlie Rangel ought to resign as chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
“If I were in Congressman Rangel’s position, I would step aside from my chairmanship at this point,” Himes, a Democrat from the 4th District, said in a brief phone interview earlier today.
Last week, the House ethics committee found that Rangel, a Democrat from New York, violated House rules by accepting Caribbean trips sponsored by corporations.
“There are enough allegations out there that the commitree is still studying that I think Congressman Rangel will find it increasingly hard to serve in the leadership capacity in which he has served,” Himes said.
Himes is a freshman who is considered vulnerable. He has already come under fire from state GOP chairman Chris Healy for accepting campaign contributions from Rangel. Himes has donated the contributions, which totaled $16,000, to several charities in Southwestern Connecticut.