House tables censure of Rangel

WASHINGTON, July 31 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives repelled a Republican motion Thursday to censure Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., for abuse of power.

Democrats tabled the motion on a 254-137 vote, The Hill reported.

Twenty-six Republicans joined Democrats to table the resolution, while five Democrats voted present. No Democrat voted against the motion to table.

The resolution censuring Rangel alleged he broke the Houses gift rule by controlling four rent-controlled apartments in New York. one of which he used for a campaign office, the Washington publication said. The resolution also mentioned a published account on whether he misused congressional letterhead seeking donations for a City College of New York educational center named for him.

"There's no one in this House that's more thick-skinned than I am in terms of playing politics, but playing with someone's reputation, especially someone that has felt so honored to serve in this House -- I really think goes a step beyond that," Rangel said in remarks on the House floor.

Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the Democrats haven't lived up to their pledge to ferret out corrupt behavior, The New York Times reported.