In Opposition to H. Res. 521

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this outrageous and hyper-partisan stunt. 

This misguided majority is wasting more precious floor time with an insulting and unprecedented resolution to censure a Member of Congress for doing their job, for honoring their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. 

And that’s what we’ve had to do – defend the Constitution.  From Trump-led insurrectionists who attacked the Capitol.   From a former president who sat in the Oval Office and revealed sensitive intelligence to the Russian Ambassador.  From the same man who withheld military aid that Congress approved for our ally so he could try to blackmail Ukraine’s President into making up political dirt against Joe Biden.   This was before Russia invaded Ukraine.  Ironically,  today’s resolution relies more on Russian misinformation than facts.

And just last week, this same man was in federal court, indicted on 37 counts of stealing and mishandling classified documents.   Did he try to sell these documents to our foreign adversaries?   I don’t know yet, but I do know that he broke the law.   And no one is above the law.

What I do know is that Adam Schiff defended the Constitution.  He led an impartial investigation, which followed the facts, which led to the first of two impeachments of the former president.

As a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Adam Schiff for many years.   He is a man of integrity, and he deeply loves this country, just like I do. 

I urge my colleagues to vote NO on this dangerous and purely vindictive attempt to silence someone because of his work to hold Trump accountable. 

I urge our colleagues not to be fooled by this distraction.   Don’t ignore the facts.   This resolution is a fig leaf to hide the clear facts about a twice impeached, twice indicted ex-president who has put our national security at risk.

I urge my colleagues to stop these political games and get back to the business the American people elected us to do.  Do the right thing and vote down this terrible resolution.

I yield back the balance of my time.