(RightWing.org) – A journalist tried to trip up House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) this past weekend over congressional controversies — but he turned it around spectacularly. CBS host Margaret Brennan wanted to talk about whether newly elected congressman, George Santos (R-NY), should be serving on House committees. McCarthy pointed out the Democrats have a much bigger problem.
"Doesn't it further wear down credibility when you put someone who's under…investigation as a representative of your party on committees?"@SpeakerMcCarthy: "Are you talking about Swalwell?" 😂 pic.twitter.com/f4zJUnhixE
— Jake Schneider (@jacobkschneider) January 29, 2023
Speaker McCarthy appeared on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on January 29, and Brennan quickly turned the conversation around to who sits on House committees. Discussing the low public approval of Congress, she asked if it lowered the House’s credibility when members who are under investigation were appointed to vital committees. Brennan made it clear she wanted to talk about Santos, who’s currently being investigated over allegations of fraud and lying about his pre-congressional career. McCarthy reminded her that Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is a more serious concern.
Until McCarthy removed him on January 24, Swalwell sat on the vital House Intelligence Committee — despite him having close links with a suspected Chinese spy. In 2014 Christine Fang helped with fundraising for his congressional campaign, and there are serious questions about the closeness of their relationship. Swalwell insists he broke off all contact with Fang in 2015 and has refused to comment further. However, last December, the FBI briefed House leaders, including McCarthy and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), on his links to Fang. According to NPR, McCarthy said at the time the briefing “only raised more questions” and made it clear Swalwell “should not be on Intel.”
I have asked the FBI for a briefing on Rep. Swalwell's ties to a reported-spy from China. Twice it has been scheduled. Twice it has been canceled by the FBI.
Swalwell is a national security liability. This is too important for the FBI to continue to stonewall.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) December 16, 2020
Swalwell hit back on Sunday, accusing McCarthy of “weaponizing” committee assignments. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), who McCarthy removed from the intelligence committee over his support for the discredited Russia collusion dossier, is also protesting — and trying to make the discussion all about Santos.
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