Three GOP Reps Vote ‘Present’ as House Democrats Unanimously Defeat Resolution to Remove Eric Swalwell From Intel Committee

We reported last week that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) intended to introduce a resolution to remove Rep Eric Swalwell (D-CA) from the Intel Committee over his previous association with a Chinese spy.

Today, McCarthy introduced the resolution but it was rejected largely on a party-line vote.

218 Democrats voted unanimously to table the resolution with 200 Republicans voting to consider it, with 3 voting present: Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), David Joyce (R-OH) and Michael Guest (R-MS).

McCarthy tweeted about the vote, “Every Democrat is now on the record: They just voted to keep Eric Swalwell on the House Intelligence Committee—despite his long-standing relationship with a reported Chinese spy.”

“They chose politics over national security,” McCarthy added.

Every Democrat is now on the record: They just voted to keep Eric Swalwell on the House Intelligence Committee—despite his long-standing relationship with a reported Chinese spy.

They chose politics over national security.

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) March 19, 2021

Rep Byron Daniels (R-FL) wondered how they could vote to remove Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) from committees but Swalwell “is kept on the Intel committee and he HAS been compromised by a Chinese spy?!?!?!”

Daniels echoed McCarthy and said, “Tonight, the Dems PROVED they care more about power than national security. This is a damn shame!”

.@mtgreenee is removed from her committees, but @ericswalwell is kept on the Intel committee and he HAS been compromised by a Chinese spy?!?!?!

Tonight, the Dems PROVED they care more about power than national security. This is a damn shame!

— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) March 19, 2021

It is unclear what may have motivated the Republicans not to join with the others to vote for the measure, but it is clear that Democrats know how to band together when it counts comparatively.