Politics | Congress Rangel's Fundraising for 'Me' Monument Questioned Solicits cash from firms linked to his panel By Matt Cantor Posted Jul 15, 2008 12:16 PM CDT Copied Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., arrives for a news conference with the New York Congressional delegation, Thursday, June 5, 2008, in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) New York Rep. Charles Rangel has raised eyebrows with fundraising efforts for a new center Republicans labeled his “Monument to Me.” After securing a $1.9 congressional earmark, Rangel is soliciting money from firms affected by his House Ways and Means Committee to build the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at New York’s City College, which would house his papers, the Washington Post reports. Rangel’s panel weighs in on taxes, trade, Social Security, and Medicare. “Charlie Rangel may deserve a center at City College,” said a political expert. But in fundraising, “the danger is that it begins to blur the lines between whether a quid pro quo is implied.” Rangel begs to differ. “If it was an ethical problem, I wouldn't do it,” he said. Read These Next New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Report an error