A Matter of Jurisdiction

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, I have had the privilege and honor of serving most of my career in Congress on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. It is important work that goes on in secret, typically, and it is really important. Typically it involves the oversight of 17 agencies which we empower to protect this Nation from enemies abroad.

That important work has been highjacked by this investigation, which is being led by the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The Intelligence Committee works with sources and methods. Madam Speaker, there is nothing classified about anything that is going on downstairs in our SCIF. There are no sources or methods at risk here.

This is a jurisdictional issue. This investigation, should it be happening at all, should be done by the Committee on the Judiciary. That is where Articles of Impeachment will have to come from, not the Intelligence Committee. Our good work that is important to this Nation is being highjacked by this process that should not even, in my view, be going on. But if it should be going on, Chairman Nadler should be the one leading this effort, not Chairman Schiff.

I ask the Speaker to go the normal route, put the inquiry on the floor, have us vote on that, allow all of us to express our opinion, not just hers, but all of our opinions on this issue.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source