GOP searches for impeachment boogeyman | TheHill

“I think, with the Schiff story that just came out by New York Times, that's something we're absolutely going to pounce on,” one senior GOP aide told The Hill in discussing the conference’s messaging strategy.Rep. John RatcliffeJohn Lee RatcliffeDemocrats claim new momentum from intelligence watchdog testimony Hillicon Valley: Senate passes bill to boost cyber help for agencies, businesses | Watchdog warns Energy Department failing to protect grid | FTC sues Match for allegedly conning users Senate approves bill to boost cyber assistance for federal agencies, private sector MORE (R-Texas) told reporters that the inspector general provided “no information about the contact between the HPSCI majority and the whistleblower prior to his involvement….It’s entirely inappropriate and Chairman Schiff should be disqualified.” Trump quickly seized on a tweet from Ratcliffe making a similar point, tweeting “WOW, this is big stuff!” After the Times story, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOvernight Defense: House Dems subpoena White House for Ukraine documents | Pence pulled into inquiry | GOP senator says he confronted Trump over Ukraine aid | Iran hackers target 2020 campaign Trump says House Democrats 'unfortunately' have the votes to impeach Cornyn makes waves with tweet about Justice investigating Biden MORE (R-Ky.) went up with a digital ad on Facebook captioned: "BREAKING: Adam Schiff LIED. All of you know your Constitution, the way that impeachment stops is a Senate majority with me as majority leader," McConnell says in the ad.Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntMcConnell signaling Trump trial to be quick, if it happens Republicans show signs of discomfort in defense of Trump   Congress hunts for offramp from looming shutdown fight MORE (R-Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, said a case for impeachment “has clearly not been made yet.” “I don’t know if in the Democrat House whether any facts will matter here or not. They should – and must – vote to open an inquiry of impeachment so their constituents, country, and history can evaluate their actions,” Sen. Lindsey GrahamLindsey Olin GrahamTrump says House Democrats 'unfortunately' have the votes to impeach Graham pushes Democrats to hold vote on launching impeachment inquiry The Hill's Campaign Report: Warren, Sanders overtake Biden in third-quarter fundraising MORE (R-S.C.) said in a statement.The effort to refocus the public’s attention comes as several Republicans have gone silent about Trump’s comments. Rep. Tom EmmerThomas (Tom) Earl EmmerHouse GOP battleground poll finds opponents narrowly outnumber impeachment supporters Democrat running for Hurd's seat in Texas raises M in third quarter Public opinion polls show shift toward impeaching Trump MORE (R-Minn.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said during a radio interview more than 24 hours after the president’s public remarks on China investigating Biden that he was hearing about the comments for the first time.