I have to give it to Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) — he and the group that challenged House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) were able to help bring about some positive change to the process. We’ve now gotten some important movement, such as the committee to deal with the weaponization of the federal government.
We also saw McCarthy come through on some promises of his own, including booting Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) off the House Intelligence Committee. McCarthy continued to level Schiff on Thursday on Twitter.
Adam Schiff lied.
– about Russian collusion
– about Hunter Biden's laptop
– about knowing a whistleblower
Eric Swalwell had a relationship with a Chinese spy.
They are disqualified from serving on the House Intelligence Committee. pic.twitter.com/yJ8S73QI7O
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 26, 2023
As I reported, Schiff held a presser with Swalwell and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) where they ranted about finally being held to account. Schiff even went on TikTok to rant. When you have to go on Chinese spyware to rant, you reemphasize why you shouldn’t be on the Committee.
But Gaetz had the perfect response to Schiff’s meltdown. He’s introduced the PENCIL ACT to deal with Schiff. PENCIL stands for “Preventing Extreme Negligence with Classified Information Licenses.” It’s also a take on a common nickname that people have ascribed to Schiff — “pencil-neck.” Now, I may be indulging in a little evil pleasure there, but I think that’s hilarious. One can never criticize Schiff enough and he needs to be held accountable for all he has done.
“The resolution expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that Congressman Adam Schiff should not have access to classified information, should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee, and should have his comments made during any proceeding of Congress regarding Russian Collusion and the Trump campaign be officially struck from the record,” Gaetz’s office said in a statement.
“Congressman Adam Schiff led the effort for years to weaponize lies from the Clinton campaign and a corrupt Department of Justice to smear President Trump while destroying any trust the country had left in America’s intelligence agencies,” said Gaetz. “He can no longer be trusted by his colleagues in Congress or the American people.”
Schiff not only shouldn’t be allowed on the Intel Committee but he should have been investigated for all his lies and his alleged leaking. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referenced that in an interview on Wednesday and it’s been a longstanding accusation from many parties against Schiff.
Pompeo- Schiff leaked classified information 💥 pic.twitter.com/uNeIOFwUiq
— Zeno Calhoun (@zenoc_oshits) January 25, 2023
However, now that he’s being held to some account in the House, Schiff is trying to reestablish his power in a new arena. He’s filed to run for Senate to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in 2024, and will likely try to get on the Senate Intelligence Committee if he wins. But it’s already becoming a crowded field with Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) who has announced and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) who is expected to get in the race too. So there’s no guarantee that Schiff would win and he could be doing himself in by this move. 2024 is also a good year for Republicans for greater opportunities to take over the Senate. So even were he to win, he would very likely be in the minority, again.
Story cited here.
