The Associated Press reports that Representative Sander "Sandy" Levin of Michigan will be the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Congressman Charles Rangel was the chair until yesterday morning when he temporarily stepped down. Rangel is facing several ethics investigations and flagging support from fellow Democrats.

Rangel's constituents in Harlem have mixed emotions about the move.

"He should [step down], he's been there long enough," said one resident.

"Everybody gets away with things. Why shouldn't he? That's how I look at it," another resident said about Charlie Rangel. "As long as he has African blood he has to dot his I and cross his T's all the time."

"Well, I think he just got caught up with the tiny little webs that he weaves. Particularly when he started off, he was a great guy, stellar guy," a third resident told WNYC on 116th Street. "Probably a little bit too much for him to be combating with. He's old now."

A House ethics panel last week said Rangel violated gift rules by accepting corporate financed trips to the Caribbean in 2007 and 2008. Other charges are still under investigation.