Politics

Kevin McCarthy: I will offer a resolution to remove Swalwell from the Intel Committee

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2021

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday he is planning on introducing a resolution to remove Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) from the House Intelligence Committee.

McCarthy argued that Swalwell is a national security threat due to his former ties with an alleged Chinese spy and he should not be on the panel in charge of guarding our nation’s secrets.

“Pelosi just reappointed Eric Swalwell to the Intelligence Committee. Based on the briefing she and I received together, Swalwell should not be on the panel in charge of guarding our nation’s secrets. Next week, I will offer a resolution to remove him from the Intel Committee,” McCarthy tweeted on Friday.

Pelosi just reappointed Eric Swalwell to the Intelligence Committee. Based on the briefing she and I received together, Swalwell should not be on the panel in charge of guarding our nation's secrets.

Next week, I will offer a resolution to remove him from the Intel Committee.
— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 12, 2021

Following Pelosi and McCarthy’s briefing, McCarthy pushed for the removal of Swalwell, saying that the briefing raised more concerns of Swalwell being a national security threat.

“One thing I know for sure — I had questions about whether he should. That’s the one question that was answered, he should not be on Intel,” McCarthy said in December.

“I just think there are definitely 200 other Democrats that I know could fill that place,” McCarthy added.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi confirmed Friday that Swalwell will remain on the House Intelligence Committee despite allegations that he had a relationship with a suspected Chinese spy, Fang Fang.

Swalwell has refused to say if he had a romantic relationship with Fang Fang.

In February, 14 Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee wrote a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting a briefing on Swalwell’s entanglement with Fang.

“As our nation faces a growing security threat from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) attempts to infiltrate and undermine the United States Government, we write to request a full briefing regarding counterintelligence threats to Members of Congress, including information related to Representative Eric Swalwell’s ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative,” the legislators wrote.

The letter continued, “We must ensure the Committee can safeguard Top Secret information and make an informed decision regarding Rep. Swalwell’s future access to classified information.”

Follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @AnnalieseLevy

Featured

Historic House Vote Expels Rep. George Santos Amidst Scandal

Published

17 hours ago

December 1, 2023

Alexander Carter

In a turn of events, the House of Representatives made history on Friday with a vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), marking the first such expulsion in over two decades. A moment fraught with gravity unfolded as Speaker Mike Johnson wielded his gavel to formalize Santos’ removal, setting a precedent in congressional annals.

Santos, indicted on 23 counts related to wire fraud, identity theft, and other charges, has not faced conviction but stands accused of misusing campaign funds for opulent purchases. The bipartisan vote, tallying 311 to 114, signaled robust support for expulsion, with a marginally higher number of Republicans opting to retain Santos.

Questions loomed as Speaker Johnson left the chamber, his silence leaving the fate of the ongoing government spending battle uncertain. According to reports from Fox News, Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer emphasized the non-partisan nature of the decision, asserting that members concluded Santos had tarnished the House’s reputation and was unfit for representation.

Within the GOP, conflicting opinions emerged, with Rep. Darrell Issa arguing against expulsion, citing the presumption of innocence. The tight-lipped stance of the House Ethics Committee played a pivotal role in the deliberations.

Conversely, members of the New York Republican delegation, led by Rep. Marc Molinaro, asserted Santos’ commission of crimes, justifying expulsion based on a comprehensive investigation.

Santos himself predicted the outcome in an exclusive morning interview on “FOX & Friends.” This vote not only underlines the House’s rare use of expulsion powers but also sets a critical precedent in handling members facing severe legal challenges.