When Rep. Charles Rangel (D., N.Y.) announced he would step aside as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he said his absence would last only until House investigators completed a spate of ethics inquiries into his behavior.

In reality, the move is much more likely to be permanent, and it could augur the beginning of the end of Mr. Rangel's storied political career.

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Charles Rangel's stepping aside as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee is likely to be permanent, and it could augur the beginning of the end of his storied political career.

As a matter of House procedure, it would be difficult for Mr. Rangel to win the support of his colleagues to return to the chairmanship, even if he is cleared by the House ethics...