Adam Schiff grateful for 20 House Republicans who saved him in unexpected vote.

Twenty Republicans Save Adam Schiff in Surprise Vote

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California received unexpected support on Wednesday when twenty Republicans came to his defense, effectively putting a resolution to censure and fire him on hold.

The resolution, introduced by Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, called for a $16 million fine, equivalent to half the cost of the Robert Mueller probe, which concluded that there was no evidence of collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russia.

Luna stated, “It is the obligation of House Leadership to back up this motion for the American people and hold this feckless man accountable,” according to the New York Post.

The text of House Resolution 437 noted that Schiff, from his position on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives, “abused this trust by citing evidence of collusion that — as is clear from reports by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz, and Special Counsel Durham — does not exist.”

The resolution was ultimately tabled with a vote of 225-196-7, as twenty Republicans joined Democrats in favor of tabling it, according to the official roll call.

The Republicans who voted to table the motion were: Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota; Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon; Juan Ciscomani of Arizona; Tom Cole of Oklahoma; Warren Davidson and Mike Turner of Ohio; Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania; Kay Granger of Texas; Garret Graves of Louisiana; Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey; Kevin Kiley, Young Kim, Tom McClintock, Jay Obernolte, and David Valadao of California; Mike Lawler and Mark Molinaro of New York; Thomas Massie of Kentucky; Mike Simpson of Idaho; and Steve Womack of Arkansas.

Five other Republicans did not oppose tabling the resolution. Republican Reps. Neal Dunn of Florida, Tony Gonzales of Texas, and Patrick McHenry of North Carolina were recorded as not voting. Reps. Darrell Issa of California and George Santos of New York voted Present. All Democrats voted in favor of tabling the measure.

Schiff expressed surprise at the vote, stating, “And I think it showed a lot of courage for Republican members to stand up to the crazy MAGA folks,” according to The Hill.

Luna, however, made it clear that she will not be deterred by the vote. She tweeted, “So there is no confusion (as some did not accurately read the bill) I will be filing a privileged motion to censure & send Schiff to ethics for investigation. See you next week Adam.”

20 Republicans voted w/ Dems to stop the ethics investigation, censure, & fine of Adam Schiff.

So there is no confusion (as some did not accurately read the bill) I will be filing a privileged motion to censure & send Schiff to ethics for investigation.

See you next week Adam.

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) June 14, 2023

Luna also engaged in a Twitter exchange with Massie, who expressed his opposition to the resolution. Massie argued that a $16 million fine would violate the 27th and 8th amendments of the Constitution. Luna responded by clarifying that the fine could be paid with campaign funds, as per the rules of the Ethics Committee.

The Constitution says the House may make its own rules but we can’t violate other (later) provisions of the Constitution.

A $16 million fine is a violation of the 27th and 8th amendments.

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 14, 2023

After Massie pointed out that the resolution did not specify the use of campaign funds for the fine, Luna reiterated her stance, stating, “It’s a suggested fine that can be paid with campaign funds, like any other fine levied by Ethics. Again, this is not the same case as yours and Pelosi’s. Massie knows this, he sits on Rules Committee,” she wrote.

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