Reps. Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and Ilhan Omar, who were stripped of their committee duties by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, accused him of “politics” in a statement after blocking their appointments again Tuesday night. revenge”.
“It is disappointing that Kevin McCarthy surrendered to the right wing of his caucus, undermining the integrity of Congress and compromising our national security in the process,” said Schiff, a California Democrat. and Minnesota Democrat Omar in a joint statement.
The statement was the latest exchange in an ongoing spat between McCarthy, the California Republican, and three Democrats after he removed them from selection committee mandates after the GOP secured a majority and was elected speaker .
The Democrats continued in the letter: “In his desperation he struck a corrupt, nearly lost deal in an attempt to win the House of Representatives, a deal that required political revenge against the three of us.”
House Speaker McCarthy rejects Jeffries’ request to reappoint Schiff, Swalwell to intelligence committees
Speaker of the California House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol January 7, 2023.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Immediately after McCarthy made his decision, Schiff, Swalwell, and Omar asked McCarthy to reconsider.
But, he didn’t.
“Despite these efforts, McCarthy will not succeed. We will continue to speak out against extremism and defend our democracy doggedly,” the Democratic trio said.
The House’s top Democrat, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), vouched for them after the three Democrats failed to persuade McCarthy to reinstate his committee.
In a letter, Jeffries said the lawmakers are “very qualified” and have experience demonstrating a position overseeing the national intelligence community. Schiff and Swalwell previously served on the House Intelligence Committee, while Omar served on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
McCarthy confirms Schiff, Swalwell and Omar will lose committee seats
It also failed to convince McCarthy, who said in an open letter that “national security” and “integrity” were more important than “partisan loyalty.”
“I appreciate your loyalty to your Democratic colleagues and I appreciate your efforts to restore two members of Congress to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,” McCarthy wrote to Jeffries. Loyalty takes precedence over national security, and I cannot simply use length of service as the sole criterion for membership on this important committee. Integrity is more important.”
“Therefore, in order to maintain a standard worthy of the committee’s responsibilities, I hereby decline to appoint Rep. Adam Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell to serve on the Intelligence Committee,” the Republican added.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy poses with Reps. Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell and Ilhan Omar.
(Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Win McNamee/Getty Images)
McCarthy also said: “My assessment is that the misuse of the panel during the 116th and 117th Congress seriously undermined its primary national security and surveillance missions — ultimately making our country less safe.”
ILHAN OMAR told CNN: “I don’t regret equating us and Israel with the Taliban, blaming Jewish lawmakers
“So, as we enter this new Congress, I’m committed to restoring the intelligence committee’s true integrity and credibility and regaining the trust of the American people,” the California Republican said.
McCarthy claimed Swalwell’s previous relationship with suspected Chinese spy Kristen Fong, Schiff’s alleged tendency to lie to Americans and Omar’s outspoken criticism of Israel would keep them away from their respective committees.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and Rep. Adam Schiff, D.C., leave at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.
(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Since becoming Speaker of the House, McCarthy has vowed to make the legislative process “more open and transparent.” He also created a committee to investigate the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the weaponization of the federal government.
Click here for the Fox News app
Republicans on the coronavirus pandemic task force subcommittee include Chairman Brad Winstrup of Ohio and Rep. Nicole Mariotakis of New York, Mary Annette of Iowa Miller Meeks, Debbie Lesco of Arizona, Michael Crowder of Texas, John Joyce of Pennsylvania and Rep. Tyler Green of Georgia, Ronnie Crowder of Texas Jackson and Georgia’s Rich McCormick.
Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
(Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Republican members of the Task Force on the Weaponization of the Federal Government include Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Darrell Issa of California, Thomas Massey of Kentucky, Chris Stewart of Utah, Elise Stefanick of New York, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Chip Roy of Texas, Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota, Greg Steube of Florida, Dan Bishop of North Carolina, Kat Cammack and Harriet Hageman of Wyoming.
