This week, the House is set to take up a resolution that seeks to formally censure and penalize Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) for exaggerating claims of collaboration between Russia and former president Trump.
Trump supporter and Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said that she anticipates her privileged resolution, which was intended to be fast-tracked for consideration, is likely to be put to a vote this week.
According to Luna’s office, the resolution calls on the House to publicly reprimand and condemn Schiff “for his heinous abuse of the trust of the American people.” In addition, according to Luna, if the House Ethics Committee determines that Schiff misled and misused confidential material, he should be punished with $16 million, or almost half the cost of special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian election meddling. This is while the committee is still conducting its own investigation.
Mueller’s investigation looked at potential connections between the Russian government and Trump’s 2016 campaign, but it ultimately failed to uncover a criminal plot. The majority of Luna’s resolution accuses Schiff of lying about the Russia situation, but it also brings up certain concerns with the Trump impeachment investigation that is focused on Ukraine.
Luna stated in a statement that “House Leadership has a duty to support this motion for the American people and hold this irresponsible man accountable.”
Republicans have long alleged that Schiff, who presided over the committee for four years and believed there was proof of collaboration, is a serial liar. After Republicans won control of the House in January, Schiff was removed from the intelligence panel as a result of GOP frustrations. Along with her request for censure, Luna has attempted to have Schiff dismissed, but to no avail.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said he supports the resolution and is coordinating with Luna on the “best timing” to bring it to the House floor in order to help it succeed, while a top House Democrat predicted that a procedural vote on the censure resolution will most likely occur this week.
Trump’s indictment in a federal papers case was the subject of a furious tweet from Schiff, who is currently vying for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) seat.
.@RepLuna introduces resolution "censuring and condemning Adam Schiff, Representative of California…" pic.twitter.com/0miNRsYw8h
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 13, 2023
“After reading the resolution to censure and punish me with $16 million, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna just left the House floor. To deflect attention from Trump’s indictment and as retaliation for impeaching him, the vote will take place within the next 48 hours. However, I’m not giving up,” Schiff said.
