OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
California Rep. Adam Schiff has not been having a fantastic time recently, and he just got scooped on the job he may have wanted.
Democrat Rep. Katie Porter has announced her intention to campaign for the Senate seat held by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 89, who would be older than 90 for the next Senate election and is predicted by many to be retiring,” Fox News reported.
“California needs a warrior in the Senate—to stand up to special interests, fight the dangerous imbalance in our economy, and hold so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell accountable for rigging our democracy. Today, I’m proud to announce my candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2024,” she said in a tweet with her announcement video.
“We’re living through a time of extraordinary change. I’m Katie Porter. Change can be electrifying and exhilarating, but change can also be disruptive — like the constant assault on our democracy and the dangerous imbalance in our economy,” she said in the video.
“The threat from so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell has to often made the United States Senate the place where rights get revoked, special interests get rewarded, and our democracy gets rigged, especially in times like these,” she said.
“I don’t do Congress the way others often do,” she said. “I use whatever power I have to speak hard truths to the powers that be.”
California needs a warrior in the Senate—to stand up to special interests, fight the dangerous imbalance in our economy, and hold so-called leaders like Mitch McConnell accountable for rigging our democracy.
Today, I'm proud to announce my candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 2024. pic.twitter.com/X1CSE8T12B
— Katie Porter (@katieporteroc) January 10, 2023
But it was last month when Rep. Schiff hinted that he wanted to campaign for that position, but was waiting for a decision by Sen. Feinstein.
During an appearance on KTTA’s “The Issue Is,” host Elex Michaelson asked Schiff about campaigning for a spot in the U.S. Senate, Breitbart News reported.
“It is widely expected that California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is 89, will retire at the end of her term. You have expressed interest in that job. Is there any reason you would not run for Senate?” the host asked.
“Well, I’m not usually asked the question in that form. You know, look, I am getting a lot of encouragement to run for the Senate from people in California and colleagues here in Congress. If Senator Feinstein retires, then I will give it very serious consideration. You know, at this point, I think we’re waiting to see what Senator Feinstein has to say about her plans, but yes, it is something I’m giving serious consideration to,” Schiff responded.
New Republican House Speaker and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy has fulfilled one of his promises by booting several Democrats off their committees.
The Speaker confirmed on Monday to the Associated Press that Democrat Representatives Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell will be removed from the Intelligence Committee, and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar will be prevented from being on the Foreign Affairs Committee, The Washington Examiner reported.
“Swalwell can’t get a security clearance in the private sector. I’m not going to give him a government security clearance. Schiff has lied to the American public…” he said.
McCARTHY confirms Swalwell, Schiff & Omar will be off committees they’d previously served: intel/foreign affairs.
“Swalwell can’t get a security clearance in the private sector. I’m not going to give him a government security clearance. Schiff has lied to the American public…”
— Farnoush Amiri (@FarnoushAmiri) January 10, 2023
The Speaker first made the promise in November after Republicans won a narrow majority in the House.
“Eric Swalwell cannot get a security clearance in the public sector. Why would we ever give him a security clearance in the secrets to America? So, I will not allow him to be on Intel,” he said to Fox News in November. “You have Adam Schiff, who had lied to the American public time and again. We will not allow him to be on the Intel Committee either.”
Swalwell has been under scrutiny by Republicans after it was reported in 2020 that a suspected Chinese spy had developed relations with the California Democrat in what U.S. officials believe was an extensive political intelligence operation run by China between 2011 and 2015. A spokesperson for Swalwell said at the time he had not interacted with the operative in roughly six years, and the California Democrat has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Schiff has also been a target of the GOP over the last several years after he led hearings for former President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial, during which the former president was accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Schiff has continued to elicit the ire of the GOP with his position on the Jan. 6 committee, an investigation Republicans have denounced as politically motivated.
McCarthy has also long sought to remove “Squad” member Omar from her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, accusing the Minnesota Democrat of making antisemitic comments in the past. Omar, who was first elected in 2018, has ignited a series of controversies over her anti-Israel positions and has faced other accusations of antisemitism over specific comments.
