Congressman Tom McClintock speaking at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, LA, June 17, 2011. (Photo by Gage Skidmore)
Rep. Tom McClintock: Why I Oppose the Censure and Fine of Adam Schiff
We have gone much too far down this road and it is time we turned back
By Tom McClintock, June 14, 2023 6:03 pm
The Russia collusion hoax is the single dirtiest political trick in the history of American politics. We now know that it was entirely concocted by the Hillary Clinton campaign and ruthlessly used by partisans in the FBI to affect the 2016 election and then to undermine the legitimately elected president of the United States.
Mr. Schiff’s active role in promoting this hoax is disgraceful and damning.
But that is not the question before us. The question before us is whether a member of Congress should be censored and fined for speech, even outlandish speech, during the public policy debate. We have gone much too far down this road and it is time we turned back.
The entire purpose of this Capitol is for the people’s representatives to freely debate the issues that affect the nation’s welfare. Except for the simple rules that promote civility in that debate, no one should be censored for errors of opinion or fact. The sole arbiters of these issues should be the constituents of the representatives, through the votes they cast in an election. The Founders reserved all legislative powers to the Congress because they wanted the issues of the day held up to every conceivable light and for every voice in the nation to be heard through their elected representatives. Unfettered freedom of speech is central to this process.
We need not fear false statements as long as freedom of speech allows them to be contested by the truth. How else are we to separate truth from falsehood but to expose one to the other? How else are we to separate folly from wisdom but to expose one to the other? How else are we to separate malice from the better angels of our nature but to expose one to the other?
There are only two ways to resolve the differences between us. There is reason and there is force. Americans have built a republic of reason and the central organ in that republic is the institution that we are entrusted to preserving. As Thomas Jefferson said long ago, “error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is free to combat it.”
Our oaths of office obligate us to defend this institution and to preserve the freedom to challenge each other in open debate. The elements in this resolution rely on coercion to punish egregious errors of opinion and fact. If we continue down this road, we will destroy this institution and the freedom of debate that is the most important tool we have to guide our way in an uncertain world.
We have already done so on too many occasions, and it needs to stop.
My opposition to this resolution in no way condones so many of Mr. Schiff’s statements and representations in this matter. On the contrary, I condemn them strongly. It is precisely because of the freedom of Congress — and indeed of every American — to debate without fear of persecution or punishment, that his veracity and judgment can be weighed in the balance and found wanting. There is no greater disgrace than that. We can only disgrace ourselves by denying to Mr. Schiff the freedom of speech and debate that protect us from the damage such people as he can do.
- Free Speech is the Cure and Not the Cause of Antisemitism - December 15, 2023
- Rep. Tom McClintock: Why I Oppose the Censure and Fine of Adam Schiff - June 14, 2023
- McClintock: Why I Support the Fiscal Responsibility Act - May 31, 2023
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Shiff and Co. used fabricated evidence in collusion with foreign agents to try and overthrow a rightfully elected president.. In my book that is TREASON. Defending treason and one of the most vile persons in American history using “freedom of speech”? Putrid.
I agree CW. Lives have been devastated and upended by the lies that Schiff et al concieved.
I guess Mr. McClintock does not hold much respect for the voter or the Trump family.
It is a travesty.
Yep. I rate this screed as a 3 barf bag read. 🤮 🤮 🤮
Right on! McClintock is our Congress Coward! Dump our Congress Coward!
TF
Oakhurst CA
Rep. Tom McClintock and Rep. Kevin Kiley are both traitorous RINOs who refused to censor or condemn a corrupt treasonous serial liar like Rep. Adam Schiff and they instead voted with their Democrat cronies to protect Schiff. They also both voted for irresponsible Fiscal Responsibility Act which will increase the national debt by trillions. Traitorous RINOs like Tom McClintock are the reason why the Biden regime and Democrats are in power? He voted to certify the stolen 2020 presidential election for Biden and he refused to investigate or even acknowledge any of the blatant voter fraud. Both McClintock and Kiley are part of the deep-state establishment RINOs who are all talk when it comes to conservative principles when running for office but who are no action after they are elected? We might as well vote for Democrats? It’s the corrupt uniparty? No doubt they both have amassed some wealth while being in office like other RINOs have?
Never forget that Tom McClintock attacked President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 claiming that his rhetoric about the stolen election was “utterly irresponsible,” and claimed that Trump “betrayed” the trust of his supporters. So much for standing in solidarity with a fellow Republican? He instead stands in solidarity with House Democrats to protect Schiff and then he tries to justify it by claiming he wants to protect open debate. House Democrats have censured many Republicans in the past. Democrats voted to censure Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona in 2021 stripping him of his two committee assignments because he dared to criticize AOC and Biden in a video. Sadly Tom McClintock is a RINO like most Republicans in California? Maybe he’s installed with voter fraud and rigged voting machines just like most Democrats are? It’s no wonder that so many of us have left the Republican party to become Independents?
Schiff put Trump, his supporters and the country through hell with his fake allegations of Russian collusion. If a Republican had lied, made misrepresentations, and abused sensitive information like Schiff did, Democrats would quickly fine, censure and permanently expel that Republican from Congress. That Republican might even end up dead under suspicious circumstances? McClintock’s justifications for siding with Democrats to spare Schiff were lame and ridiculous. McClintock is not my representative and I would never vote for him!
Tom McClintock was the representative for my home district for decades until he was re-districted out and replaced by Kevin Kiley and I dutifully voted for him every 2 years. But both of them have now proven that they are abject failures and are nothing more than your typical GOP establishment types who only love being the opposition party. They have no interest in actually pursuing matters of importance such as holding the Democrats accountable for their blatant abuses of power. Rather, they cave and let the Democrats walk all over them (and by extension the rest of us). This is NOT a free speech issue. Pencil Neck Schiff was not engaging in a “debate over opinions”. He was pushing a known hoax (which McClintock acknowledges) in order to undermine and destabilize the presidency simply because Democrats did not like the results of the 2016 election. He was constantly on the propaganda press channels spreading lies and deceit day after day after day. Talk about seditious behavior. Censuring and fining Pencil Neck would have been a slap on the wrist for the crimes he has committed. He should be arrested for treason.
I used to really like McClintock but he is full of it here — Schiff –> cost taxpayer money <— and he KNEW that it was all a hoax and said NOTHING! it was all about going after political opposition. He was incharge of this and could have spoken with honesty but he did NOT and we need to hold people accountable.
McClintock is holding NO ONE ACCOUNTABLE! we the people are tired of Adam Schiff and his lies — He needs to held accountable and to set an example of what happens when congress fails to hold up to oath of office.
This whole Russia hoax began with Obama SPYING on Trump — no one indicted for this
FBI used FAKE dossier for FISA warrants to spy —- no one indicted for this
Mueller investigation all based on lies — bankrupted several people for reasons not associated with his role — held public to portray Russian hoax as real.
NO ONE INDICTED for this entire HOAX — GOP is spineless weasels at best or they are playing the wimps in this tyranny take over.
Lets not forget Kevin Kiley —- he is another two faced scumbag that sits with RINOs on this — They seem to think its OK for Democrats to LIE, CHEAT, DECEIVE the people and spend TAX MONEY to carry on persecutions on party opposition.
It is fine to lie to each other in congress, I guess. But he sullied all congress critters by going on TV saying basically “I saw the investigations into Trump, and he is guilty “. He said these things on any talk show that would have him. He should be censured and expelled, and charged for leaking classified information to the press
Not surprisingly he is a former US attorney, and every case he won as US attorney should be re investigated. Liars like him are what gives DoJ its North Korean conviction rate.
And the sick (bleep) will feel right at home as a US Senator.
It is fine to lie to each other in congress, I guess. But he sullied all congress critters by going on TV saying basically “I saw the investigations into Trump, and he is guilty “. He said these things on any talk show that would have him. He should be censured and expelled, and charged for leaking classified information to the press
Not surprisingly he is a former US attorney, and every case he won as US attorney should be re investigated. Liars like him are what gives DoJ its North Korean conviction rate.
And the sick -o will feel right at home as a US Senator.
I live in a neighboring district that is hopelessly Democrat but I’m not surprised that McClintock voted with Democrats to let Schiff off with no consequences. He’s originally from Southern California and I was always skeptical of him. He’s typical of California Republicans who are mostly RINOs? Other California RINO representatives who voted with Democrats include Kevin Kiley, Young Kim, Jay Obernolte, David G. Valadao. Darrell Issa voted present. The Gateway Pundit has a list of the RINOs who voted with Democrats: (https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/06/update-20-republicans-vote-democrats-refuse-censure-serial/)
If McClintock is lifelong politician originally from Southern California, then McClintock and Schiff are probably old buddies–maybe even groomer buddies? There’s got to be some connection between those two for McClintock to give Schiff a pass after the hell he caused with his fake allegations? It’s just weird?
Schiff’s lies regarding Trump and Russian collusion resulted in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation that wasted $32 million in taxpayer dollars according to the DOJ. The Hill reported that Schiff, in comments after the vote, said he was “frankly surprised. And I think it showed a lot of courage for Republican members to stand up to the crazy MAGA folks,” he said. We now know that McClintock and and the other treasonous RINOs who voted to protect Schiff are in crazy Schiff’s camp.
According to Rep. McClintock: The question before us is whether a member of Congress should be censored and fined for speech, even outlandish speech, during the public policy debate. We have gone much too far down this road and it is time we turned back. The road of good intentions?
Rep. Schiff should not be censored for errors of opinion or fact, he should be censored for using his position as chairman of the intelligence committee to publicly lie about content he purportedly viewed. The intent was to disparage with false accusations a sitting president.
“The sole arbiters of these issues should be the constituents of the representatives, through the votes they cast in an election… The Founders reserved all legislative powers to the Congress because they wanted the issues of the day held up to every conceivable light and for every voice in the nation to be heard through their elected representatives. Unfettered freedom of speech is central to this process.” Congressman, Questionable election returns present a major destruction of public trust construing the role of constituents as sole arbiters. Freedom of speech, assembly and religion for law abiding citizens are at risk. Media outlets, social platforms, medical boards, school boards… under the direction of government agencies impede, intimidate or incarcerate citizens exercising these civil liberties.
“We need not fear false statements as long as freedom of speech allows them to be contested by the truth.”
This applied a few generations ago. Today’s population of students, including (indebted) university graduates are not educated on the traditions and virtues of the Constitution, the conflict and consensus of its formation, the difference between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War fought to affirm the self evident and preserve it. Critical thinking skills to understand the truth over false statements is compromised as smart phone apps fog and filter reason and judgment. Define a woman; Don’t we understand the folly of drag queen story hour and wisdom of the sanctity of family? Our intellect is insulted as congressional leaders and government administrators distort and weaponize our democratic republic for a radical agenda that harms constituents well beyond their congressional district.
“As Thomas Jefferson said long ago, ‘error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is free to combat it.'”
Your error of opinion is tolerating a corrupt, contemptible, and criminal institution denying the rule of law to reasonably combat it.
“Our oaths of office obligate us to defend this institution and to preserve the freedom to challenge each other in open debate… The elements in this resolution rely to punish egregious errors of opinion and fact. If we continue down this road, we will destroy this institution and the freedom of debate that is the most important tool we have to guide our way in an uncertain world.” From a constituent’s perspective the institution defers decisions to staff and agencies or succumbs to forceful lobbyists. A minority of House Republican members seem to be engaged in defending our Constitution from enemies foreign and domestic in order to defend and save our Republic. We are learning that freedom of debate is get some triggering sound bites, but money, our tax dollars, are what guide or destroy our liberty in this globalist world.
“My opposition to this resolution in no way condones so many of Mr. Schiff’s statements and representations in this matter. On the contrary, I condemn them strongly. It is precisely because of the freedom of Congress — and indeed of every American — to debate without fear of persecution or punishment, that his veracity and judgment can be weighed in the balance and found wanting… There is no greater disgrace than that. We can only disgrace ourselves by denying to Mr. Schiff the freedom of speech and debate that protect us from the damage such people as he can do.” These lofty sentiments are losing value as fast as the dollar. A virtuous statement, while Nancy Pelosi mastered the the “wrap-up smear.”
The 45th President has endured the intended disgrace and political damage fostered by Adam Schiff (among other elected and non elected office holders) and the intelligence community. The thorough but delinquent John Durham report details such allegations. When will any of these crimes of obstructing justice, illegal surveillance, election interference, lying to congress (as well as the public) be punished? Voters want accountability, that which our founders established and those who take the oath of office are to follow.
Wuh? McClintock thinks it’s just free speech issue? Why would McClintock and the other RINOs vote with the Democrat criminal mob to let a lying corrupt reprobate groomer like Schiff off for his crimes with no consequences? Maybe there are some incriminating photos and videos of McClintock and the other RINOs doing something unsavory or illicit? Maybe with minors?
That could be a possibility! No one is buying the free speech argument!
Also he may have allegiance to Kevin McCarthy who may have signaled to vote with the California democrats as a voting block. Major donors could have a hold on all these RINOS as well!
I have voted for and donated to McClintock but that now comes to an end. His loyalty seems to be to his cronies in Washington instead of his constituents. How many people have been prosecuted for lying to congress. Schiff knowingly lied to Congress and the American people at large and lent to the attempted framing of a sitting president. We have people imprisoned for walking into the Capitol but this man committed crimes that amount to actually being part of an attempted coup costing the American government countless millions, plus personal damage to others who were allies of Trump. McClintock has given Schiff a free pass to destroy America as we know it. Now he intends to take the seat of Diane Fienstein. What further damage will he do in the Senate?
100 percent based, David!
Sir I hold you in the Highest Regard, I supported you when you were in Southern California and am very grateful that Northern California has chosen to send you to DC as you are a fine representative but here we have to disagree. Mr. Shift has lied and caused We the People to suffer and will get no retribution nor will those effected get relief. His constituents seem to appreciate his actions so we would be hard pressed to get him voted out. Should our prime example of good governance be a lying individual that seems to get promoted for very divisive things? We are to reward horrid behavior, where is the Debate in suppression of facts?
Schiff lied! “no one should be censored for errors of opinion or fact.” is a BS cop out! I have had respect for McClintock for years, but he may have been exposed to the Swamp for too long as his judgment has become muddied. Republicans have a problem with going for the jugular and that is why they are always on the losing end. What a shame!
Dear Rep. McClintock,
You defend lying as free speech? Try that with the FBI, or even Congress. “no one should be censored for errors of opinion or fact. “ It is not an error when you knowingly lie to the public. Liars MUST be held accountable, whether elected, appointed, or hired. It’s a crime to lie to Congress but it’s not a crime to lie to the public? No consequences? This just re-affirms politician’s identity as scoundrels. Those who defend scoundrels, and aren’t their attorneys, are scoundrels themselves.
“that his veracity and judgment can be weighed in the balance and found wanting. There is no greater disgrace than that.” So, his only punishment is to be “disgraced” because his deception has been found out? According to 72% of the population Congress IS disgraced, and the complete lack of consequences for their immoral, and otherwise criminal, behavior is why.
I usually have liked Rep. McClintock, but not about this. His argument seems philosophical and academic, with no regard for the real world. Members of Congress have been censured for less than what Schiff has repeatedly done. He has blatantly lied, over and over again, lies which did real damage. Does McClintock have any doubt what Democrats would do to a Republican who behaved like Schiff? Schiff’s statements, repeated endlessly, were not a matter of error in judgement, fact, or opinion, but conscious, deliberate lies. Over and over and over. I also hold free speech in high regard, but even it, like other rights, have limits based on responsible behavior. Schiff has been repeatedly irresponsible and should be held to account. He has done the equivalent of shouting, “Fire!” in a crowded theater.
Correction: The DEMOCRATS have gone much too far down this road, and they won’t stop until the REPUBLICANS get off their a$$e$ and the same thing to the Democrats.
Congressman McClintock is fond of quoting the Founding Fathers. In response to his eloquent remarks defending his vote not to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, here’s another Thomas Jefferson quote…
“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of the day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers (administrators) too plainly proves a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing us to slavery.”
The DOJ, FBI, CIA, DHS, DOD, HSS, CDC, FDA, NIH, IRS secretaries, agencies, deputies have committed a series of oppressions by lying to Congress in defiance of any legal consequence. Evidence shows the dissemination of false information to the American people for the purpose of influencing two presidential elections, discrediting licensed medical practitioners for promoting life saving treatments against COVID or questioning the safety and efficacy of experimental vaccines resulting in disability/death, isolation, loss of status, livelihood, childhood development, compromising our military readiness with woke policies and endless spending on a war the current administration may have arranged surreptitiously. J6 political prisoners have less rights than those illegal border crossers. Falsely accusing the 45th POTUS of crimes to dissuade disrupt or cancel his candidacy is the latest oppression.
Representative McClintock, are you a statesman for the people or the appeasement of dishonorable congressional colleagues?
Great response and I would love that question answered!
What a cop-out! Schiff engaged in illegal activity – he perpetrated a hoax on a sitting president that he knew was false. This is a CRIME, not a freedom of speech issue!
Shame on McClintock, Kiley, Massie, Armstrong, Chavez-DeRemer, Cole, Davidson, Fitzpatrick, Granger, Grave, Kim, Lawler, Kean, Molinaro, Obernolte, Simpson, Turner, Valadao, Womack, Issa, Santos, Dunn, Gonzalez and McHenry.
They’re all RINOs who are part of the Uniparty. All lack courage and conviction and are not fit to serve WE THE PEOPLE.
DO NOT DONATE to the RNC!
MAGA ALL THE WAY!
McClintock your points are pure poppycock! You’re not a dope, but your vote, logic and written piece supporting Schiff are numbingly dense!
Completely and utterly GUTLESS. No respect, and for him to tout his conservative bone fides while picking and choosing which of the founders statements or sentiments he believes fit the particular cowardice he’s demonstrating speaks volumes. If we are indeed heading down this road, it takes a courageous representative to stand up and fight-it. Rolling over in the name of compromise, or “virtue”, especially in this case is nothing sort of blatant cowardice!
It seems that CCP money may have been involved in this travesty of a vote. If true the Schiff is about to hit the fan.
People, before you all go ballistic regarding the results of this censure vote, remember that it won’t matter to Schiff anyway. He’s running for Feinstein’s Senate seat. Even if they end up censuring him, he will probably go to the Senate: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/adam-schiff-hasnt-escaped-censure-gop-try-again-condemn-false-accusations
This is a cowardly response after a cowardly fail by McClintock and the other 19 “republicans” that voted again this. We the People DO hold our representatives to a higher standard and they should as well. I don’t want any member telling lies in congress! Be afraid of the lies NOT the Truth!
The fine would have taken $16 million campaign dollars away from the vile Schiff and possibly hurt his chances in his all but inevitable senate run in this leftist state. Kiley, McClintock… you were spineless and short sighted here explaining away your folly as “fear of what could happen in the future?!” That’s total bung and I hope we find new candidates to primary you and all of the CA reps that failed us in this and so many other ways and means! (See what undid there?!).
Do your jobs which means representing US and not your chances for reelection which just went down imho. We as CRA must start holding these electeds accountable to our principles or what are we doing besides pretending to be relevant? Not a thing.
Spineless, pathetic and stupid.