Rangel’s Successor In Tax-Writing Committee Resigns After One Day

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – After only one day as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, California congressman Pete Stark Thursday stepped down from the position, which had been temporarily vacated on Wednesday by Rep. Charles Rangel.

Stark said he was leaving the powerful leadership position so that he could hold on to his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee.

“I have decided to remain as Chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee,” Stark said in a statement. “We are at the cusp of achieving health care reform and we must remain focused on moving forward.”

Speaker Nancy Pelosi immediately named Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan as acting chairman of the committee. Levin had been head of the trade subcommittee.

Pelosi (D-CA) said her chamber “will continue to rely upon [Stark] as we enter the final stretch of ensuring health care for all Americans.” She said Levin “will be a powerful advocate for addressing the urgent needs of the American people.”

Despite the official explanation for the change, reports said Stark had given up the post due to Democratic objections about his temperament.

Rangel (D-NY) temporarily stepped down as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, the same day Republicans planned to remove him with a privilege resolution. The congressman requested a leave of absence “until such time as the Committee on Standards completes its findings on the review currently underway.”

Last week, the House ethics panel “publicly admonished” him for going on Caribbean trips sponsored by corporations.

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