After failing to wrangle the votes last week, House Republicans mustered the majority needed to censure Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Wednesday. That move is among the latest Republican attacks against prominent Democrats — including members of the Biden administration and Congress — and it’s one that’s aimed at energizing the GOP base ahead of the 2024 election.
Republicans targeted Schiff specifically because of his leading role in former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment proceeding as well as his role in investigating possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. As part of the House Intelligence Committee inquiry into the subject, Schiff alleged there was strong evidence of potential collusion, though Republicans argue that special counsel Robert Mueller’s report later disputed this conclusion.
“Mr. Schiff exploited his position as chair of Intel Committee, and every opportunity possible, threatening national security, undermining our duly elected president and bringing dishonor upon the institution,” Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), the sponsor of the censure resolution, said prior to the vote.
Though the censure was framed as being about holding Schiff accountable, it’s ultimately part of a broader Republican political strategy. Many conservative voters and lawmakers want retribution after House Democrats launched two impeachment efforts against Trump, censured Rep. Paul Gosar and removed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from her committees. Censuring Schiff allowed House Republican leadership to give that faction of the caucus a win, while also showing the party’s most devoted voters that the GOP is using its power to scrutinize Democrats and Biden.
After a vote on Schiff’s prior censure failed, Trump — who has a large lead in primary polls, and is still seen as a kingmaker, despite his mixed 2022 record — argued that any House member that voted against it should face a primary challenge.
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