Schiff has long been a Republican foil for his participation in the Trump investigations, including the House investigation into the former president’s campaign ties to Russia and his first impeachment. Luna said Schiff “launched an entire political campaign against the sitting president” and “abused his privileges” as the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, whom Speaker Kevin McCarthy fired earlier this year.
It’s the latest example of Conservative-inspired “concession” resolutions that require a quick vote and bypass the committee process. The right wing of the House GOP plans to force votes on other controversial measures, despite the leadership’s desire to fire President Joe Biden and his cabinet secretaries.
Luna’s censuring action would prompt an ethics investigation and Schiff would have to stand in the House chamber well for verbal reprimand. Democrats rallied behind Schiff after the vote as McCarthy presided over the House chamber, chanting “Adam” and “shame” as he walked to receive the reprimand.
Schiff, for his part, embraced his role as the Republican boogeyman amid weeks of push by conservatives to impeach him. Speaking on the House floor shortly after the measure advanced, he mockingly thanked Republicans for their “hostility” and said they had “falsely” praised him.
“Your words show that I have been effective in protecting our democracy, and I am grateful,” he said. Schiff joked that Republicans “could have been $160 million,” referring to an earlier version of Luna that could have been fined heavily. You will never stop me from doing my duty.
The House rarely censures the last time it voted to do so in 2021, when it censured Democratic Majority Representative Paul Goser (R-Ariz.) for posting on social media an anime video depicting the killing of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN). .Y.) and attacked President Joe Biden.
