The Hill News

One of convicted Rep. Charlie Rangel's staunchest allies will vote against a congressional resolution to censure him for violating ethics rules. 

According to a New York Observer survey of the Empire State's congressional delegation, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D) will oppose the resolution. Meeks, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus that Rangel (D-N.Y.) co-founded, is one of the first lawmakers to say he will not vote to censure the 80-year-old lawmaker. 

{mosads}It's unclear how many other members of Congress will vote against censuring Rangel when the lower chamber reconvenes next week. 

The House ethics committee last week voted 9-1 to recommend the House censure the former Ways and Means Committee chairman for committing 11 ethics violations for failing to pay taxes, filing incorrect financial disclosures and inappropriately using House resources. He was also ordered to pay any remaining back taxes. 

Under House rules, censure is the highest penalty a congressman can receive for ethics violations short of expulsion. 

Reps. Christopher Lee (R), Tom Reed (R) and Bill Owens (D) told the Observer they will vote to censure Rangel. Reps. Peter King (R), John Hall (D), Edolphus Towns (D) and Paul Tonko (D) said they are undecided. Most refused to answer the question, according to the Observer. 

Rangel has expressed remorse for his actions and has asked members to consider his four decades in public service before voting to censure him.