Prometheus 6

"I wouldn't have done it if I thought the rules were unclear, but to make certain that even reporters can understand it, I want to go back to the ethics committee and make it even more clear for those that can't find anything else to write about so that they can move on and find something else," Rangel said.

Rangel Defends Use of Official Letterhead in Solicitations
By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 17, 2008; 4:33 PM

Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), dealing with dual controversies, called today for an ethics committee probe of his fundraising for an academic center that bears his name but said the panel should not investigate his rental of four New York apartments at below market rates.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee said he did nothing wrong in using congressional stationery to seek meetings to ask for corporate and foundation contributions for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York. Some of those he has approached, including insurance giant American International Group, have business interests before his committee, which has broad jurisdiction over tax and trade matters.

House ethics rules allow lawmakers to solicit money for certain kinds of charities but bar the use of official resources, such as office equipment and supplies. They specifically ban the implied endorsement that accompanies the use of congressional letterhead.