Myers Calls on Congressman Rangel to Surrender

Ways & Means Committee Chairmanship

Challenges Adler to "walk the walk on reform,"

join chorus of those calling for Rangel to step aside

          Mount Holly, September 16, 2008-New York Congressman Charlie Rangel - embroiled in a mounting scandal surrounding his failure to pay taxes on, or properly disclose, rental income derived from a villa he owns in the Dominican Republic and gaming the system to enrich himself through rent stabilized properties he occupies in Harlem - should immediately surrender his Chairmanship of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee, charged successful businessman and decorated combat veteran Chris Myers (NJ-3).

          Furthermore, Myers challenged his opponent, career Trenton politician John Adler, to "walk the walk on reform" and join the Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times, and others in calling on Rangel to step down, in addition to returning the $4,000 in contributions Rangel made to his campaign on February 8, 2008 according to Federal Election Commission reports.

          "While every day Americans are struggling to make ends meet, Congressman Charlie Rangel has arrogantly abused his office and flouted state and federal laws by failing to pay taxes on rental properties he owns in the Dominican Republic and shamelessly gaming the system to enrich himself via a rent control scam in Harlem," said Myers.  "Congressman Rangel must surrender his Chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Adler should stop talking the talk, and start walking the walk on reforming Congress by joining me in calling on Mr. Rangel to do so immediately."

          Myers, however, said he won't hold his breath.

          "Under the Adler, Corzine, McGreevey regime in Trenton, our state has been embarrassed by scandal after scandal," said Myers, pointing to the corruption trial of Adler ally, former Senator Wayne Bryant, beginning this week as recent evidence.  "Trusting a career Trenton politician like John Adler to bring ethics reform to Congress is like trusting a fox to guard the hen house."

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