Democrats on Monday blocked a Republican-lead resolution to censor Intelligence Committee Adam Schiff (D-CA) with the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. The vote fell completely along party lines and was killed in a 218 to 185 vote. Rep. Justin Amash, a former Republican turned Independent, sided with Democrats, CBS News reported.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) slammed Democrats for failing to hold Schiff accountable.
“Each member of Congress must uphold a high standard of honesty and integrity. When it comes to matters of our national security, that responsibility is even greater. Chairman Schiff has fallen short in his duty. From claiming he had evidence of Russian collusion with the Trump campaign to covering up his committee’s relationship with the whistleblower, he has demonstrated a pattern of lying to the American people on matters of intelligence," McCarthy said in a statement. "The grave missteps of Chairman Schiff call for the necessary response of the full House of Representatives to vote to censure. Today’s vote only further illustrates the Democrats’ ignorance to Chairman’s Schiff’s reckless behavior and underscores their blind determination to damage this country.”
Schiff took to Twitter to slam Republicans for their "lack of courage."
It will be said of House Republicans,
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) October 21, 2019
When they found they lacked the courage to confront the most dangerous and unethical president in American history,
They consoled themselves by attacking those who did.
Earlier in the day, President Trump tweeted his support of the measure.
Adam Schiff is a Corrupt Politician! https://t.co/16aSrqjwu2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 21, 2019
The measure was introduced by House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and had 184 co-sponsors. The bill laid out numerous reasons Schiff should no longer lead the impeachment inquiry. One of the biggest issues Republicans had with Schiff's leadership was telling his own version of the call that took place between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Schiff's story was entirely made up and not based on the unredacted, unclassified transcript.