Mr. Rangel also has a reservoir of good will among his colleagues that is helping him fend off the Republicans.

Image Representative Charles B. Rangel, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, talked to reporters about health care legislation. Credit... Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

“I have not heard anyone in the caucus against him,” said Representative Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland. “Mr. Rangel is a legend, and I think that people believe that the ethics folks will do their job, and all of us are hoping for the best.”

But Republicans are not making it easy for Democrats.

Representative John Carter, Republican of Texas and a former judge, said he intended to force a vote next week on a resolution requiring Mr. Rangel to step aside from the helm of the Ways and Means Committee at least until the internal investigation is finished. A similar effort by Mr. Carter was tabled on a party line vote in February, and the same result is expected this time.

But Mr. Carter said new revelations in August that Mr. Rangel had not disclosed an additional $500,000 or more in assets required some action on the part of the House, particularly after multiple tax and financial lapses were uncovered in 2008.

“It all boils down to this, the public perceives  and rightfully so  that Mr. Rangel’s indiscretions are being overlooked, and they know that theirs would not have been,” said Mr. Carter, who said he hoped the resolution would prompt the ethics committee to finish an investigation that many think was taking too long.

Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican leader, also urged action if Mr. Rangel refused to step aside voluntarily. “It’s improper for Chairman Rangel to remain in his position with all of the influence that he has while the serious allegations remain hanging,” Mr. Boehner said.

Democrats accuse Republicans of trying to score political points. “This is nothing more than a partisan stunt to distract from the G.O.P.’s lack of ideas to improve America’s health care system and help our economy recover,” Elbert Garcia, a spokesman for Mr. Rangel, said in a statement.