Just when Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California thought he could breathe easy after narrowly avoiding a House censure, he finds himself embroiled in more complications. A think tank known as the Center for Renewing America has submitted a complaint calling for severe disciplinary actions against Schiff, which could escalate to his removal from the House.
The previous measure to censure and fine Schiff was blocked, despite having the support of 20 House Republicans. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who originally proposed the resolution, has however struck a deal with these Republicans for a revised resolution that might secure House approval next week.
The resolution aims to censure Schiff for his “unfounded allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia,” according to a draft obtained by Fox News. Luna believes that Schiff’s false accusations not only misled the public but also discredited the House.
Thursday saw the Center for Renewing America pen a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics, advocating for an in-depth investigation of Schiff, along with the imposition of strict disciplinary action. The think tank pointed out Schiff’s undying support for the discredited collusion narrative and accused him of violating House Rule XXIII, which requires House members to conduct themselves in a manner that credibly represents the House.
The letter emphasized how Schiff had quoted from the debunked Steele Dossier during congressional sessions, insisting on the existence of substantive evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia—an assertion that was later proven false. The letter also accused Schiff of capitalizing on his access to classified information to mislead the public, a behavior it deems unbecoming of a House member.
In Luna’s eyes, Schiff’s misleading behavior is a serious breach of conduct that tarnishes the image of the House. The letter cites other examples of such behavior, including Schiff’s denial of having communicated with a whistleblower linked to Trump’s first impeachment and his efforts to dismiss documents from Hunter Biden’s laptop.
Luna’s initial censure motion failed on Wednesday due to objections against the attached $16 million fine. Edie Heipel, a representative of Luna, explained that the fine has now been removed to accommodate the concerns of those who voted against it.
Promising reports from Axios indicate that Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who initially opposed the motion due to the fine, will support the revised version. Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro of New York, who sided with Democrats this week, is also set to switch his position and back the revised motion.
Luna, according to Fox News, expressed her satisfaction at holding Schiff accountable, stating that she was looking forward to next week’s censure. She also dismissed Schiff’s claims that her actions were aimed at aiding former President Donald Trump and serving as a distraction from his legal troubles. Instead, she insisted that her goal was to ensure honesty and accountability within the House.
The draft of the upcoming resolution is reported to highlight Schiff’s dishonest conduct during his tenure as the Intelligence Committee Chairman and calls for an ethics investigation into his “falsehoods, misrepresentations, and abuses of sensitive information.” As we await the unfolding of this situation, it underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in our nation’s leadership.
