WASHINGTON — Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Tuesday. Blocked two Democrats from seats on the House Intelligence Committee. And filled the GOP rosters of created select subcommittees charged. With investigating government politicization and the origins of the Covid pandemic.
McCarthy, R-Calif., made good on promises to block former. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff and Rep. Eric Swalwell — both D-Calif. — from serving on that panel.
In a letter to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. McCarthy. Said that while he admired Jeffries’ “loyalty” to his colleagues. He could not put “party loyalty before national security.”
“Hakim Jeffries has 200 other people who could serve on.
That committee,” McCarthy told reporters earlier Tuesday. He noted that as Speaker he has the power. To reject nominees for special panels such as the Intelligence Committee.
Besides to keeping Schiff and Swalwell off the Intelligence Committee. McCarthy said he wants to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee.
In a joint statement Tuesday, the three Democrats said, “It is disappointing. But not surprising that Kevin McCarthy has capitulated to the right wing of his caucus. Undermining the integrity of Congress and harming our national security in the process.”
The group called McCarthy “a corrupt bargain in his desperate. And failed, attempt to win the speakership, a bargain. That required political vendetta against the three of us.” And vowed to speak out about extremism while trying. “defend our democracy.”
McCarthy also named GOP members.
To two select subcommittees formed. After Republicans took control of the House on Tuesday.
The arming of the federal government panel, which will investigate Republican allegations. That the Justice Department, FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Are being weaponized to investigate. Conservatives like former President Donald Trump, will include Reps. Chip Roy of Texas and Dan Bishop of the North. CAROLINA — Two of the 21 conservative holdouts. Who blocked McCarthy during a five-day battle over the speaker’s wall this month.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who supported McCarthy. But has caused headaches for GOP leadership in the past, also got a slot on the panel.
Meanwhile, McCarthy named Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Who was suspended from the social media platform for spreading Covid misinformation. To a select panel on the coronavirus pandemic. Texas Republican Ronny Jackson, who was Trump’s White House physician. Also agreed to the Covid panel.
Jeffries will now have the opportunity to appoint. Democratic members to the special panel.
The weaponization panel
Republicans have said the new weapons panel will examine GOP allegations. That the Justice Department, FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Are being armed to investigate conservatives. including Trump. One issue the panel will look at is the FBI’s search last year of Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s home and resort in Florida, as agents sought to recover classified material.
“Government has a responsibility to serve the American people. Not go after them,” McCarthy said in a statement. “Unfortunately, throughout the Democrats’ one-party rule in Washington. We have seen a dangerous pattern of government. Using it to target political opponents while. They neglect their most basic responsibilities.”
Because the panel is a special subcommittee of the Judiciary. Committee, panel Chairman Jim Jordan. R-Ohio, who clashes with Democrats, will lead the weapons investigation.
Other notable picks include Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif. a former oversight committee chairman who launched aggressive investigations into. The Obama administration more than a decade ago.
Freshman Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., who unseated Rep. Liz Cheney in a GOP primary last year. Will also serve on the subcommittee.
Others are McCarthy allies: GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik. R-N.Y., Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson, R-La., Kelly Armstrong, R-N.D., Greg Steube, R-Fla. and Kate Cammack, R. – Fla.
The coronavirus panel
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, will chair. The select subcommittee investigating the spread of the coronavirus. Wenstrup, a medic and Iraq War veteran, is credited with applying a tourniquet. And saving the life of Majority Leader Steve. Scalise, R-La., during the 2017 congressional baseball shooting.
Others who will serve on the Covid panel are Nicole Maliotakis. R-N.Y., Marianette Miller Meeks, R-Iowa, Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., John Joyce, R-Pa. and Rich McCormick, R-Ga.
Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, a conservative holdout. Who went on to endorse McCarthy on 12 of 15 ballots in the speaker’s race, will also serve on the committee.
Last week, McCarthy named GOP members to a select committee. Focused on competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. It is led by Chairman Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.
