Democrats Accuse Speaker McCarthy of Political Abuse in Attempts to Keep Them Off House Committees

In a recent interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) have all spoken out against Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) over his attempts to keep them off House committees.

Rep. Swalwell, who was linked to an alleged Chinese intelligence operative, remarked that there’s “nothing there” and accused McCarthy of weaponizing his ability to commit political abuse. Last week, Schiff and Swalwell were stripped of their positions on the House Intelligence Committee, after McCarthy officially denied the Democrats from taking their previously held seats.

The Democrats argue that McCarthy’s actions are nothing more than another political calculation to cling to his power as speaker by keeping the conservative hardliners in check. Rep. Swalwell referred to McCarthy’s home area in California as “some Bakersfield B.S.”

McCarthy has yet to respond to the accusations, but the House is expected to finalize committee assignments for the 118th Congress in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen whether the Democrats will be able to reclaim their positions on the House Intelligence Committee.