Democratic Congress member Charles Rangel of New York took to the House floor on Tuesday to defend himself against a wave of ethics charges. Rangel faces an ethics trial over thirteen alleged violations, including improper political donations and tax filings. In a lengthy speech before the House chamber, Rangel rejected calls to resign.

Rep. Charles Rangel: “If it is the judgment of people here, for whatever reason, that I resign, then, heck, have the Ethics Committee expedite this. Don’t leave me swinging in the wind until November. If this is an emergency, and I think it is, to help our local and state governments out, what about me? I don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed, awkward. Hey, if I was you, I may want me to go away, too. I am not going away. I am here.”

Rangel is a longtime member of the Congressional Black Caucus.