Adam Schiff, a U.S. Senate hopeful and powerful Democrat member of the House of Representatives, directed millions in taxpayer dollars to major defense firms who backed his Congressional campaigns. The discovery of Schiff’s questionable use of earmarks came after the Congressman attacked his Senate primary opponent Katie Porter (D-CA) for opposing pork-barrel spending, while bragging he had secured critical funding for drug recovery and homeless programs through earmark spending.
Members of Congress often use earmarks to bring taxpayer dollars back to their district and fund local projects to improve communities. Some, however, abuse the process and end up using taxpayer dollars as a kick-back to companies who contribute to their election campaigns.
In 2010 the Republican majority in control the House of Representatives enacted sweeping reforms, including to the earmark process. Several earmarks requested by Schiff prior to 2010 would now be barred under the rules today.
Lobbying firm the PMA Group, for example, represented many of the defense firms Schiff secured funds for, while they contributed thousands to his Congressional campaigns. Owner Paul Magliocchetti was sentenced to 27 months in prison in 2011 for his role in one of the largest schemes to avoid campaign contribution limits in U.S. history.
Schiff was one of the central figures in the Russiagate hoax, and pushed for former President Trump’s removal from office.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) filed a motion to fine Schiff $16 million (half of the cost of the faux investigation launched by Democrats) and expel him from Congress. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) – a leading Ron DeSantis surrogate – opposed Rep. Luna’s move against Schiff, the expulsion motion ultimately failing.
