Rep. Mike Conaway accused House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff of abusing his power during one of the impeachment hearings held Thursday on Capitol Hill.
Conaway, a Texas Republican, became frustrated with Schiff after the California Democrat attempted to cut him off during questioning.
“Mr. Conaway, your time is expired,” Schiff told Conaway before telling the witness, David Holmes, “You were cut off when you were talking about Mr. Sondland’s indiscretion. Did you want to finish that answer?”
“Mr. Chairman, that’s patently unfair. As is this entire investigation,” Conaway shot back. Schiff said Conaway had repeatedly cut off witnesses before, a comment that elicited a furious response from the Texas Republican.
“You are certainly willing to interrupt me during my five minutes. You are the only person on this dais who has unlimited time. You have absolutely unlimited time. You’re the only one that has abused that power, and you are continuing to do that,” Conaway said. Schiff responded by telling Conaway to “cease.”
The latest fight between the two congressmen came after Conaway railed against Schiff on Tuesday for concealing the whistleblower’s identity. “Mr. Chairman, I would like, as a personal request, I request that you and/or one of your lawyers, one of the members of the committee, put into the record the federal statute that provides for the absolute immunity, right to immunity, that you’ve exerted over and over and over,” Conaway said, adding he did not believe there is such a statute.
