Originally published in My ChesCo.
Written by Maryann Pugh.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) has petitioned Speaker Johnson to countermand his decision to appoint Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In a letter sent to Speaker Johnson, Houlahan underscored the critical importance of the Intelligence Committee, which is responsible for oversight of intelligence gathered from several key sectors, including all military branches, federal agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Central Intelligence Agency. These responsibilities, Houlahan argues, necessitate members of utmost integrity and professionalism who are capable of making decisions about the implementation or disbandment of programs.

Houlahan’s concerns about Jackson and Perry’s appointments stem from their past actions, which she believes could potentially compromise national security and disrupt democratic norms. Both Jackson and Perry, she writes, are ill-suited for the “sacred duty” of serving on the Intelligence Committee, with histories that make them more susceptible to manipulation by adversaries.

Houlahan cites a 2021 report from the Department of Defense Inspector General that found Rep. Jackson had engaged in inappropriate behavior while serving as President Trump’s White House physician, including consuming alcohol on duty, and abusing and demeaning his staff. This behavior led to Jackson’s demotion from Navy Admiral to Captain and raised red flags about his potential vulnerability.

As for Rep. Perry, his involvement in the planning of the January 6 protests and his alleged role in the effort to overturn the 2020 Presidential election, evidenced through his phone being confiscated by the FBI, raise serious concerns over his suitability for the committee. His association with Jeffrey Clark who has been indicted for violating Georgia’s racketeering law and making false statements during the election meddling efforts, further exacerbate these issues.

In light of these concerns, Houlahan has implored Speaker Johnson to withdraw Perry and Jackson as nominees and consider replacing them with members whose records are beyond reproach. In her words, there are “literally hundreds” of qualified representatives, including Republicans, who can execute these duties without the threat of personal misconduct or foreign compromise.

Her plea, above all, is one to safeguard the integrity of Congress and the House’s Select Committee on Intelligence, making clear that the stakes are high, and a misstep in these roles could lead to a disconcerting breach of national security. Now, the ball is in Speaker Johnson’s court, as the nation waits to see how he responds to these charges of potential compromise.