STRATEN: WHY DOES PASCRELL FAIL TO CALL FOR RANGEL'S RESIGNATION?

  
New York Congressman Charles Rangel should resign as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, according to Roland Straten, Republican candidate for congress in New Jersey's 8th district, who wonders why his opponent, Congressman Bill Pascrell, has failed to suggest it.
 
"Congressman Pascrell has never failed to come down hard on Republicans for even the slightest alleged impropriety," says Straten.  "So why hasn't asked for Rangel's resignation."
 
A self-requested House Ethics Committee investigation of Representative Rangel has led to the disclosure that he has failed to pay state and federal taxes on $75,000 in rental income from a house he owns in the Dominican Republic.  Two earlier investigations cited Mr. Rangel's improper use of official letterheads to solicit support for a project to memorialize his public service career, and his use of a leased rent-stabilized apartment as a fund raising office in violation of state regulations.
 
"I agree with the New York Times that he should resign," says Straten.  "For someone who is chairing the committee that is responsible for the nation's tax laws, it is unconscionable for him to say he didn't know or couldn't find out about 20 years worth of income."
 
Mr. Rangel, who is known to denounce corporations that shield overseas income, has stated that "cultural and language barriers" prevented him from getting the correct information from sources in the Dominican Republic.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has also called for quick action on Republicans with alleged problems, supports Rangel's refusal to step down.
 
"It is laughable to blame this on his inability to understand Spanish; surely he could find someone to interpret," says Straten. "Congresswoman Pelosi and Congressman Pascrell have put party loyalty above the public interest."