3/4/2010
APPLETON – Even after New York Congressman Charlie Rangel stepped down from the Ways and Means Committee following ethical questions raised by his peers, Congressman Kagen still has no intention of returning donations received from Rangel.
“Would Congressman Kagen accept another $21,000 if Congressman Rangel offered it to him right now? If not, then he should return the money immediately,” said state Representative Roger Roth, a candidate for the 8th Congressional seat.
“Congressman Kagen’s non-response to calls to return the $21,000 he’s received from scandal-plagued Congressman Charlie Rangel is exactly why people in Northeast Wisconsin are so frustrated with Kagen and with Washington.”
Rangel, a Democrat, was admonished by the House Ethics Committee last week for taking corporate-sponsored trips to the Caribbean. He also is facing allegations that he used his office to raise money for an academic center named for him and that he used his stature to rent out four rent-controlled apartments in Harlem.
According to the FEC, Congressman Rangel has given at least $6,000 to Kagen since 2006. The Rangel National Leadership PAC has donated another $15,000 to Kagen in the same time period.
“People are hungry for straight talk and honest answers, and they are sick and tired of politics as usual. They are tired of politicians like Steve Kagen saying he’s working to reduce government spending the same time he votes to increase the national debt to a record high. They are tired of politicians like Steve Kagen saying he wants to reform Washington but voting for special-interest earmarks. They are tired of politicians like Steve Kagen who can’t even answer a simple question.”