Floor Situation

H.Res. 1737 is being considered on the floor on Thursday, December 02, 2010, under a motion to suspend the rules requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage.  The resolution was introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) on November 29, 2010, and referred to the Committee on House Standards of Official Conduct.

Bill Summary

H.Res. 1737 would resolve that:

• “Representative Charles B. Rangel of New York be censured;

• “Representative Charles B. Rangel forthwith present himself in the well of the House for the pronouncement of censure;
  
  
• “Representative Charles B. Rangel be censured with the public reading of this resolution by the Speaker; and
  
  
• “Representative Rangel pay restitution to the appropriate taxing authorities or the U.S. Treasury for any unpaid estimated taxes outlined in Exhibit 066 on income received from his property in the Dominican Republic and provide proof of payment to the Committee.”

Background

On Nov. 16, 2010, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) was found guilty of 11 House ethics violations by the House Ethics Committee.  Specifically, Rep. Rangel was found guilty of failing to accurately report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and assets, improperly using a rent-stabilized apartment in Harlem as a campaign office, and improperly using congressional staff and stationery to try to raise money for a college center named after him.  Finally, the panel found his actions brought discredit upon the House.  For more information on the charges and case against Rep. Rangel, please see the official report of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.

Cost

A CBO score for H.Res. 1737 was not available as of press time.