(Headline USA) Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said this week that he would not support a GOP resolution to fine Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., $16 million for his role in the Russia-Gate hoax.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., would force Schiff to pay half of the estimated total cost of the Russian collusion investigation. Massie argued that such a resolution would violate the Constitution, no matter how egregiously Schiff behaved.
“Adam Schiff acted unethically but if a resolution to fine him $16 million comes to the floor I will vote to table it. (vote against it),” Massie tweeted on Wednesday. “In fact, I’m still litigating a federal lawsuit against Pelosi over a salary reduction she imposed on me for my refusal to wear a mask.”
Adam Schiff acted unethically but if a resolution to fine him $16 million comes to the floor I will vote to table it. (vote against it)
In fact, I’m still litigating a federal lawsuit against Pelosi over a salary reduction she imposed on me for my refusal to wear a mask.
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) June 14, 2023
The Constitution allows the House to make its own rules, “but we can’t violate other (later) provisions of the Constitution,” Massie continued. “A $16 million fine is a violation of the 27th and 8th Amendments.”
The 27th Amendment prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until after the next election has occurred. The 8th Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments, including “excessive fines.”
The House is set to hold a procedural vote on Wednesday to decide whether to move forward with the resolution. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., told reporters that the GOP is “split” on it.
The resolution argues Schiff’s false claims of Russian collusion did irreparable damage to the country, including financial damage since tens of millions of taxpayer dollars went toward funding the subsequent investigations.
“The GOP Conference agrees that Adam Schiff has betrayed the trust of the American people, purposely abused positions of extreme authority, lied continuously, and as such, must be held to account,” Luna said. “Accordingly, the resolution requires Rep. Schiff to pay a $16 million dollar fine, half of the cost American taxpayers were forced to pay for the Russia hoax investigation.”
