WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, released the following statement today on Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York:

 “All Americans are entitled to a fair and due process, and that right extends to Congressman Rangel as well.

“Any rush to judgment to short-circuit the ongoing review of Congressman Rangel by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct will do a disservice to the well established processes of the House of Representatives.

“Attempts by Republicans and Democrats to presume guilt before the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct completes its review of the facts, which are only known to them and Congressman Rangel, violates the core American principle of the presumption of innocence.

“There is a well-established, bipartisan congressional ethics process in place and that process must be respected.

“Congressman Rangel continues to be an important voice in the House of Representatives on a host of critical issues confronting our nation - from health care to creating jobs, and he deserves to be treated fairly.”

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