Clean house

It's an extraordinary moment when New York's two U.S. senators have to take time out from their day to deal with the criminal and unethical conduct of a state senator. Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand added their voices to those calling for the resignation of state Sen. Hiram Monserrate.

The chamber's Democratic leader has appointed a committee to determine what action should be taken against the Queens Democrat, who was convicted of misdemeanor assault of his girlfriend. The senator, who could be sentenced to a year in jail, has refused to resign as he should.

Now maybe Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand should turn the spotlight on one of their own members of Congress and call for Rep. Charles Rangel to step down from the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee for failing to pay taxes on unreported income and for failing to fully disclose his finances on congressional reports.