U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) has declared his intention to run for the upcoming Senate election in California — a seat currently occupied by long-time Democratic incumbent Dianne Feinstein.
“Our democracy is at great risk. Because GOP leaders care more about power than anything else,” Schiff tweeted in an announcement. “And because our economy isn’t working for millions of hard-working Americans.”
“We’re in the fight of our lives — a fight I’m ready to lead as California’s next U.S. Senator,” his announcement continued.
A video advertisement released at the same time claimed, “I’ve always believed that what’s right matters, that the truth matters, and that decency matters.”
However, Schiff had recently been kicked off of the Committee on Intelligence in the House of Representatives by the newly elected Speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), for partisan misuse of the committee and allegedly lying to the American public. Since Democrats took control of the House in 2019, Schiff had focused many of the committee’s efforts on claims against President Donald Trump.
McCarthy alleged further that Schiff had intentionally lied about matters including “Russian collusion” and “Hunter Biden’s laptop.”
In a press conference, McCarthy explained that Schiff “did use his power as a chairman and lie to the American public. … When we had a laptop, he used it before an election to do politics and say that it was false, and say it was the Russians when he knew different.”
“I cannot put partisan loyalty ahead of national security, and I cannot simply recognize years of service as the sole criteria for membership on this essential committee,” McCarthy later said in a letter to House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). “Integrity matters more.”
“As such, in order to maintain a standard worthy of this committee’s responsibilities, I am hereby rejecting the appointments of Representative Adam Schiff and Representative Eric Swalwell,” the letter continued.
“It is my assessment that the misuse of this panel during the 116th and 117th Congresses severely undermined its primary national security and oversight missions — ultimately leaving our nation less safe,” McCarthy concluded.
The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence is unique in that its members are appointed by the speaker.
Schiff decried the decision, alleging, “This is petty, political payback for investigating Donald Trump. If he thinks this will stop me, he will soon find out just how wrong he is.”
Two days later, on January 26, Schiff announced his bid to move to the upper chamber by taking incumbent Sen. Feinstein’s seat.
So far, Feinstein, who would be 91 at the time of the 2024 election, has not publicly responded to the announcement, although speculation concerning her potential retirement has swirled.
Adam Russell, press secretary to the senator, explained to The Dallas Express that Sen. Feinstein does not “have a statement on Congressman Schiff,” continuing to note that the office would “let you know if that changes.”