House Dem laments ‘friendly fire’ after losing a plum panel seat

Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell sewage evicted from nan House Intelligence Committee by nan GOP. Their chap Democrat Mike Quigley mislaid his perch location acknowledgment to his ain party.

The Illinois lawmaker, who has served connected nan panel’s Democratic roster since 2015, said he recovered retired Wednesday that he did not make nan cut. While he indicated successful an question and reply that he was “honored to person served connected nan committee,” Quigley admitted he was “disappointed to beryllium deed by friends fire.”

Quigley’s nonaccomplishment of his intelligence sheet spot comes arsenic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries named Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes arsenic its caller apical Democrat to switch Schiff (D-Calif.), whose assignment had been blocked by Speaker Kevin McCarthy, on pinch Swalwell’s (D-Calif.).

A Jeffries spokesperson noted that Quigley had already served for 4 afloat position connected nan Intelligence Committee, but different declined to comment.

The Intelligence Committee limits members to 4 position connected nan panel, though members tin person waivers. Chairs and ranking members are exempt from nan word limit.

Quigley’s exit besides follows that of respective different elder Intelligence Committee Democrats owed to status aliases predetermination to higher office, specified arsenic Reps. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). That turnover is starring immoderate Democrats to interest astir a nonaccomplishment of expertise — among them erstwhile Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), spotted speaking to Jeffries connected nan House level Wednesday evening astir nan request to support organization knowledge connected nan sheet done its longer-serving members for illustration Quigley.

Asked Wednesday astir Quigley, Pelosi said she “thought location was still an opportunity” for him to service connected nan panel.

Another wrinkle to Quigley’s intelligence sheet departure stems from Jeffries’ ascension atop nan caucus. Quigley had privately backed Schiff erstwhile he was sounding retired a imaginable activity bid that would person pitted him against Jeffries, prompting immoderate Democrats to theorize that Quigley’s removal from nan committee was linked to activity maneuvering. Schiff yet decided against moving for activity successful favour of pursuing a Senate bid, and Jeffries ran unopposed for number leader.

As nan number party, Democrats’ allotted number of seats connected nan committee shrank, forcing reliable choices astir appointments to nan sought-after panel. To switch departing members, a half-dozen Democrats were added to nan Intelligence Committee, including Reps. Ami Bera of California, Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, though respective members of nan sheet who’d served connected it successful erstwhile Congresses returned, including Reps. Andre Carson of Indiana and Joaquin Castro of Texas.