why does it matter
The resolution of censure, which arrived a day after Mr. Trump’s arraignment in federal court on 37 criminal charges related to his mishandling of classified documents and his efforts to obstruct federal investigators was the latest bid by Republicans to retaliate against Democrats for their handling of ex- – president
But while the measure, which accused Mr. Schiff of deliberately lying for political gain, was highly partisan, it raised complicated questions about accountability and retribution. The statements of Mr. Schiff that there was “ample evidence” that Mr. Trump colluded with Russia were undermined by the findings of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, who wrote in his report that his investigation “did not establish that members of Trump.” campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.” Republicans have exercised this determination to accuse Mr. Schiff of lying.
“Ultimately, this is a tool of accountability that we can hold each other to ensure that the integrity of the institution is intact,” said Ms. moon
Even so, the statements and allegations of Mr. Schiff were made during an official investigation of Mr. trump Wednesday, Mr. Schiff called the effort to censure him “political payback” and warned it would set “a dangerous precedent of going after someone who held a corrupt president accountable.”
The bipartisan vote to introduce the measure suggested that at least some Republicans agreed it was inadequate.
background
Schiff, who is running in a competitive primary for a chance to succeed fellow California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, has been vilified by the GOP earlier this year when Chairman Kevin McCarthy unilaterally removed him from the Committee of Intelligence.
Ms. Luna, who presented for the first time a resolution to fine and censure Mr. Schiff, rewrote his measure to say that the House Ethics Committee would have to impose the $16 million penalty if it determined that Mr. Schiff had “lied, misrepresented and misused sensitive information. .” The move was aimed at allaying concerns about the resolution among Republicans, but it did not appear to have been successful.
“The Constitution says the House can make its own rules, but we can’t violate other (subsequent) provisions of the Constitution,” said Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky. wrote on Twitter, arguing that the resolution violated amendments governing excessive fines and pay-shifting in Congress.
What follows
Schiff has been using the impeachment resolution to raise funds for his Senate campaign, asking supporters to contribute money to help him cover a fine that has little chance of being collected.
It was unclear whether Ms. Luna’s effort was the start of a trend. This month, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, introduced a resolution to censure Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Mississippi, accusing him of improperly sharing records with the Biden administration while he chaired the committee that investigated January 6 attack on the Capitol, and the events that led to it.
