On Tuesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced his formal rejection of two top Democrats from continuing to serve on the House Intelligence Committee.
McCarthy’s announcement came in response to a letter from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who recommended Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) for the panel that has access to the country’s most sensitive secrets.
Swalwell’s position on the committee became controversial after reports that he had a relationship with a Chinese spy who assisted him in being elected. Then-House Minority Leader McCarthy and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) were briefed by the FBI on Swalwell’s ties to the Chinese spy, but Pelosi decided to allow her fellow Democrat to remain on the Intel Committee.
Schiff, who served as chairman of the committee for four years, has repeatedly been accused of lying to the American people, particularly about the Trump-Russia investigation.
“I appreciate the loyalty you have to your Democrat colleagues, and I acknowledge your efforts to have two Members of Congress reinstated to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,” McCarthy said in his letter. “But I cannot put partisan loyalty ahead of national security, and I cannot simply recognize years of service as the sole criteria for membership on this essential committee. Integrity matters more.”
“As such, in order to maintain a standard worthy of this committee’s responsibilities, I am hereby rejecting the appointments of Representative Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell to serve on the Intelligence Committee,” McCarthy continued.
“It is my assessment that the misuse of this panel during the 116th and 117th Congresses severely undermined its primary national security and oversight missions – ultimately leaving our nation less safe,” he added. “Therefore, as we enter a new Congress, I am committed to returning the Intelligence Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people.”
I have rejected the appointments of Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell for the House Intelligence Committee.
I am committed to returning the @HouseIntel Committee to one of genuine honesty and credibility that regains the trust of the American people. pic.twitter.com/ePxlbanxta
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 25, 2023
