Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan will take over as acting chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told rank-and-file Democrats at a closed-door meeting Thursday that Levin would replace New York Rep. Charles B. Rangel. Rangel relinquished his chairmanship Wednesday in the wake of ethic inquiries.
Levin told reporters: "I think you know my close relationship with Charlie. At this point I'm acting chairman."
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.