The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives voted 213-209 on Wednesday to censure Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) for his efforts as then-chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to push the Russian collusion hoax leveled against former President Donald Trump.
The initial resolution included a $16 million fine, prompting its failure last week after a small group of Republicans refused to support it. A vote took place this week on a largely toothless alternative that scratched the fine, resulting in a symbolic vote that included no official punishment.
In fact, Schiff may even benefit from the move because he’s using the censure vote to bash Trump and to fundraise for his 2024 Senate run — a move that drew even more condemnation.
“Donald Trump threatened to primary any Republican who didn’t vote to censure me. And as they always do, Republicans caved in to his demand. Trump and MAGA world think I am too effective, and I wear their invective as a badge of honor,” the Democrat tweeted while sharing a favorable CNN media hit.
In a video, Schiff offered the same dishonest take, claiming the watered-down resolution passed because of Trump threats.
“The GOP would rather censure me that focus on getting things done for working people. If you’re with me, help me fight back,” he added, linking to an Act Blue donation site.
The GOP would rather censure me that focus on getting things done for working people. If you’re with me, help me fight back: https://t.co/nzArTMRw6L
— Adam Schiff (@AdamSchiff) June 22, 2023
Schiff’s campaign also sent out a fundraising email after the vote.
“This is not just a political stunt to rile up the MAGA base — it’s an attack on all accountability and constitutional oversight,” Schiff said in the email. “But make no mistake: If they thought this was going to deter me from holding Trump and his accomplices accountable or delivering real results for California and our nation, they thought wrong.”
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) spoke with Punchbowl News and said the censure was a good thing for Schiff, who is looking to replace retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat.
“Anything that brings a candidate more attention always helps, especially when people see that he’s been unjustly targeted by the hard Right,” Gomez said. “It reinforces the fact that he was one of the leading Democrats against the Trump agenda. He’s been getting a lot of positives from it, not even just from fundraising.”
Republican lawmakers had a different take on events.
“This place seems to think if you act poorly, you should politicize and benefit from it politically,” Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) said, according to the Washington Examiner. “That, to me, is not something you should be proud of.”
“Whether he fundraises or not, that is not the issue,” Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) added. “It’s just the fact that he lied to the American people.”
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on Twitter:
What does it say about us as nation, when a compulsive proven liar is idolized by the majority of Mainstream Media?
The irony of it is, it’s going to be Gavin Newson, another compulsive liar standing between Shifty Schiff and a Senate seat.@realDonaldTrump @TrumpWarRoom— Steve Kerwin (@stevenkerwin) June 23, 2023
Adam Schiff is a disgrace and a threat to our democracy. He should lose access to government secrets and barred from Government employment.
— Joseph Pino (@JosephPino_) June 22, 2023
Remember that time you voted to censure Paul Gosar over a meme. This is called Karma buttercup only difference here is you deserve it
— Mr30Below (@mr30below) June 22, 2023
See, it’s all about the money. Couldn’t wait to use this a a fund raiser. This guy has no shame. https://t.co/cykX0KBJ8o
— RandytheGrog (@GrogRandythe) June 23, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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