Representative Sander M. Levin of Michigan will be replacing New York's Charles B. Rangel as chairman of the tax writing Ways and Means Committee.
The announcement was made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at a Democratic caucus meeting on Thursday morning.
Rangel resigned from his position after he was found to have behaved unethically by violating gift rules for corporate sponsored trips to the Caribbean last week. The corporation which gave him the trip lobbied Congress, and Congressman Rangel was aware of its lobbying.
By seniority, Pete Stark (D-Calif.) was first in line for the position, but was passed over in favor of Levin. Levin was the third ranking member of the panel and former chairman of its Trade subcommittee.
