McCarthy Blocks Schiff and Swalwell from Intel Committee

On Tuesday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) formally rejected Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) from taking seats on the House Intelligence Committee.

The Details: McCarthy said their previous actions make them unfit to serve on a panel that has access to sensitive issues of national security. He had previously promised to keep Schiff and Swalwell off the committee, and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) off the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Key Quotes: “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 to serve on the Intelligence Committee,” McCarthy wrote in a letter to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Tuesday.

For Context: As former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff has been accused of lying to the public about former President Donald Trump's ties to Russia, a claim that Schiff denies. Swalwell has been associated with a suspected Chinese spy who had been a fundraiser during his 2014 campaign, leaving McCarthy convinced that Swalwell is a national security risk.

How the Media Covered It: McCarthy's blocking of Schiff and Swalwell from the Intel Committee was covered across the political spectrum. Left-rated ABC News pointed out that while McCarthy can unilaterally reject lawmakers from the select Intel Committee, he cannot remove  Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee unless the full House passes a resolution.