Hoyer Vows To Block GOP Bid To Ask Rangel To Step Aside

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday that he will move to block any Republican attempt this week to push Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel to step aside until an ethics probe is complete.

Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, has said he plans to offer a privileged resolution calling on Rangel, a veteran New York Democrat, to step down from his post at least until an investigation by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct is concluded. His effort has the support of the House GOP leadership.

But Hoyer, D-Md., said, "If they bring a resolution, we will move to block it."

The bipartisan ethics committee is investigating Rangel's financial dealings -- an investigation that Rangel sought after a series of news media disclosures -- and has given no indication when its probe will wrap up.

"The Ethics Committee is doing its work," Hoyer said. "In fact, in contrast to the past, the committee is issuing regular reports on its work."

"We ought to allow that work to continue to its conclusion," he added.

Hoyer's statement means that once Carter's resolution is read on the floor, a Democrat will move to table it. The motion to table will be adopted by voice vote and then a Republican, probably Carter, will appeal the chair's ruling on the vote.

That will trigger a roll call vote, on which Democrats are expected to prevail -- although outside observers will be watching to see how many Democrats join Republicans in the showdown.

House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, said he supports Carter's proposal. "It is improper for Rep. Rangel to remain in a position with such vast power and influence while serious questions about his official conduct continue to multiply and go unanswered," Boehner said last week.

He also wrote Rangel a letter calling on him to step aside while the ethics committee considers his case.

So far, Rangel has refused.