(Thumbnail Image: U.S. House of Representatives)

REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D-NY): "I have this morning sent a letter to speaker Pelosi asking her to grant me a leave of absence." (YouTube)

The House Ways and Means Committee gavel was up for grabs after 40-year veteran Charlie Rangel stepped down from his perch as chairman. The powerful committee writes U.S. tax and trade laws, and the chairman chooses which bills live and which bills never see the light of day.

To replace Rangel, Nancy Pelosi first chose Pete Stark of California, who's known for his rather colorful comments.

"You don't have money to fund the war or children, but you are going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow up old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement." (CSPAN)

The Washington Post says although Stark was the second most senior member of Ways and Means, he was ousted as chair in less than 24 hours-- by members of his own party.

"[It] is a rebuke to the seniority system, as Rep. Pete Stark... was in line to chair the powerful panel... But rank-and-file Democrats on the committee rebelled because Stark has a history of intemperate remarks and has an undisclosed illness that has made it difficult for him to be on hand in recent weeks."

Enter Sandy Levin.

"Well he's not next in line for the job, but there were apparently concerns on the committee about the fiery temperament of the man who would have become chairman, California's Pete Stark. So Levin a 14-term Congressman from Michigan, the younger brother of Senator Carl Levin will be the chairman.  The whole House will have to vote on this move, but it appears to be a done deal."

Levin says his top priorities are jobs and trade, but The New York Times warns those may have to take a back seat.

"Mr. Levin was handed the gavel at a tough time for the committee and for House Democrats generally, as they begin a final push to adopt health care legislation amid relentless criticism by Republicans, in a midterm election year."

Meantime the media had a field day following the revolving chairmanship.

Fox News challenged its viewers to guess which countries Rangel traveled to on a corporate sponsored trip

And CNN's Anderson Cooper critiques Rangel's unfortunate Caribbean beach pose.

"That's got to be about the most unflattering photograph of any Member of Congress I have ever seen. Note to self, don't fall asleep on some beach if you are a Member of Congress, yikes."

And even the House's top Republican couldn't help but getting in a thinly disguised jab.

"We are certainly glad that they have finally figured out who the chairmen will be ... I guess I have to send my condolences to Pete Stark for being the shortest chairmen in the history of the Ways and Means committee. But I expect that Mr. Levin will do fine." (MSNBC)

Levin is technically interim chair of the committee and for Rangel to earn his position back he will need a unanimous vote.

Writer: Amanda Klohmann

Producer: Newsy Staff