Rep. Adam Schiff
Adam Bennett Schiff White House Assesses Whether Trump Should Continue To Receive Intelligence Briefings Downtown Lobbying Glenn Greenwald Warns Of Media Censorship Amid Concerns About Domestic Terrorism MORE (D-Calif.) Has quietly gathered support from California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gavin NewsomGoodwin Liu’s background and experience make him an ideal choice for Attorney General Braun in California: Biden must rethink divisive HHS nominee Xavier Becerra The Memo: Biden faces risk as COVID’s optimism stagnates MORE (D-Calif.) And other allies to become the next state attorney general, according to multiple reports.
Axios reported Schiff’s plans for the first time on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the case. The outlet added that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiBiden, GOP Senators Approve More COVID-19 Talks After ‘Outstanding’ First Meeting McConnell Says Taylor Greene’s Embrace of Conspiracy Theories Is a ‘Cancer’ For GOP, Land On The Money: Schumer Vows Senate Will ‘Bold’ Coronavirus Bill accept, decline GOP offer | GOP senators, Biden sends positive vibes after a long WH meeting with MORE (D-Calif.) Supports Schiff’s lobbying efforts.
Politics later reported that Schiff, who currently serves as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has lobbied Newsom to appoint him to the position currently held by Xavier Becerra
Xavier Becerra House Democrat Calls for Demographic Breakdown of COVID-19 Vaccines Goodwin Liu’s Background and Experience Make Him an Ideal Choice for Attorney General Braun in California: Biden Should Rethink Divisive HHS Nominee Xavier Becerra MORE, who was nominated by President Biden as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Politico added that Pelosi himself has lobbied for the appointment of Schiff on his behalf, according to three people familiar with the matter, although a Pelosi spokesman declined to comment.
Representatives for Schiff and Newsom did not immediately respond to The Hill’s requests for comment.
Axios noted that if Newsom selects Schiff, House Democrats would lose a strong party vote in the California congressman, which received particular attention after leading the Russian investigation into then-President Trump
Donald Trump Graham shoots down petition for Merrick Garland confirmation hearing Feb. 8 Trump attorney to file First Amendment case during impeachment trial Biden faces crossroads over virus lighting MORE.
A departure from Schiff would also leave a small 221-211 Democratic majority in the lower house.
Becerra will leave the position of Attorney General when confirmed by the Senate for HHS Secretary. If Schiff takes the role, it would take about six months for a special election to take place to select Schiff’s deputy in the House of Representatives.
Newsom’s upcoming decision on a new state attorney general comes after he elects Secretary of State Alex Padilla
Alex Padilla The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden takes office, calls for an end to ‘uncivilized war’ K Street navigates virtual opening week Harris receives standing ovation in first Senate appearance as VP MORE replacing Vice President Harris in her previous role as a California senator.
Harris swore to her successor hours after taking her oath of office as vice president last month along with the new Georgia Sens. Jon Ossoff
Jon Ossoff GOP Group ‘Stop Stacey’ Targets Abrams Before Expected 2022 Run Democrats Outpace GOP in Approval Ratings in Georgia: Poll Senators Press Administration Georgia, Senate Dems on Coronavirus Relief: MORE Report MORE (Pine tree Raphael Warnock
Raphael Warnock GOP Group ‘Stop Stacey’ Targets Abrams Ahead of Expected 2022 Run Democrats Outpace GOP in Georgia Approval Ratings: Poll Senators Press Administration Georgia, Senate Dems on Coronavirus Help: Report MORE (D).
Newsom’s choice is also because he faces an impending recall and criticism in the state hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with a Berkley IGS Poll released Tuesday, dropping his approval score to 31 percent, while another 31 percent strongly disapproved of his job performance.