Lofgren blasted over compilation of internet posts
WASHINGTON — Republicans are firing back at Rep. Zoe Lofgren over a compilation she created of their social media posts related to the 2020 election and Jan. 6 insurrection, filing a complaint against her that was made public Thursday.
The complaint is all but certain to be dismissed× the San Jose Democrat and chair of the House Administration Committee maintains that her report was within House rules. But the escalation reveals how high tensions remain between Democrats and Republicans as the GOP continues to spread baseless doubt over President Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the November election.
Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter filed the complaint last month with an arcane House commission, the Communications Standards Commission. That sixmember panel oversees what has historically been known as the “franking” privilege — the ability to communicate with constituents on the taxpayer’s dime, postage free. It has been renamed this year to incorporate digital communication.
At issue is Lofgren’s “social media review” of House Republicans who voted to reject Electoral College results. The certification of those results was interrupted on Jan. 6 by a proTrump mob that breached the Capitol in a deadly insurrection that sent lawmakers and former Vice President Mike Pence evacuating to safety. The compilation of 1,900 pages of social media postings includes a foreword from Lofgren that suggests some GOP representatives may have “aided and abetted” the insurrection.
Carter alleges that Lofgren abused official House communications to disparage colleagues and to link to political websites, which were contained within the public social media messages, including his, that she published.
Carter closed his complaint by alleging Lofgren was being divisive, including a reference to “cancel culture,” a term frequently used by conservatives to deride backlash to disagreeable viewpoints.
“It serves only to further divide the House at a time when we should all be committed to unity and healing,” Carter wrote. “It attempts to bring socalled 'cancel culture’ into the rightful debate between members of Congress.”
But Lofgren defended herself in a reply, saying that it is part of Congress’ duty to investigate any officeholder’s potential role in an insurrection.
“It is ironic that the complainant has accused me of somehow violating standards of civility and decorum by simply publishing other members’ own words,” Lofgren wrote.
The commission consists of three Democrats and three Republicans, and a majority vote is required to sustain a complaint. In the event of a tie, the commission issues a finding of no violation, making it unlikely Lofgren will be found to have violated House rules.