Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
This Saturday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced his support for reappointing Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to their Intel Committee assignments. He did so in a letter addressed to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
“I write today to submit for renomination two eminently qualified legislators to continue their service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Ranking Member Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell of California,” Jeffires began in a letter obtained by Punchbowl News. “Together, these Members have over two decades of distinguished leadership providing oversight of our nation’s Intelligence Community, in addition to their prosecutorial work in law enforcement prior to serving in Congress.”
Jeffries is referencing the fact that Kevin McCarthy has said he will not let Swalwell or Schiff serve on these important committees. Indeed, McCarthy told Associated Press Reporter Farnoush Amiri earlier this month, “Swalwell can’t get a security clearance in the private sector. I’m not going to give him a government security clearance. Schiff has lied to the American public…”
While Jeffries granted that Democrats did remove Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) from their assignments, he feels it was justified, given the circumstances.
Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
This Saturday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced his support for reappointing Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to their Intel Committee assignments. He did so in a letter addressed to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
“I write today to submit for renomination two eminently qualified legislators to continue their service on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence: Ranking Member Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell of California,” Jeffires began in a letter obtained by Punchbowl News. “Together, these Members have over two decades of distinguished leadership providing oversight of our nation’s Intelligence Community, in addition to their prosecutorial work in law enforcement prior to serving in Congress.”
Jeffries is referencing the fact that Kevin McCarthy has said he will not let Swalwell or Schiff serve on these important committees. Indeed, McCarthy told Associated Press Reporter Farnoush Amiri earlier this month, “Swalwell can’t get a security clearance in the private sector. I’m not going to give him a government security clearance. Schiff has lied to the American public…”
While Jeffries granted that Democrats did remove Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) from their assignments, he feels it was justified, given the circumstances.
“In the 117th Congress, two Members were removed from their committee assignments after a bipartisan vote of the House found them unfit to serve on standing committees for directly inciting violence against their colleagues, ” Jeffries opined.
“This action was taken by both Democrats and Republicans given the seriousness of the conduct involved, particularly in the aftermath of a violent insurrection and attack on the Capitol. It does not serve as precedent or justification for the removal of Representatives Schiff and Swalwell, given that they have never exhibited violent thoughts or behavior.”
Jeffries ended his letter by saying, “I urge you to honor past practice of the House of Representatives and our mutual interest in working together for the good of the American people by accepting my recommendation of Adam Schiff to serve as Ranking Member and Eric Swalwell to continue his service as a Member of the Intelligence Committee.”
While Jefferies may believe that Swalwell and Schiff have every right to serve on the Intel Committee, Democrats are the ones who broke the norm. Given that, McCarthy has every right to select who gets on and who is taken off House committees. If Democrats didn’t want to get taken off their committees then they shouldn’t have done it to Republicans in the first place. Norm-breaking has its consequences.
Source: https://dcenquirer.com/schiff-swallwell-dem-leader-nominates/
