Illinois Valley Times

U.S. House Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Rockford) is now facing calls for his banishment from the GOP after playing a key role at a recent Select House Committee hearing at the behest of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

As the mostly Democratic-filled panel prepared to convene for its first hearing into the Jan. 6 attack on the House, U.S. House Rep Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) went on the attack, posting on Twitter that Kinzinger and fellow Republican Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) “have effectively removed themselves from the Republican Conference. We should help them out of the door by formalizing it.”

Cheney, once the third highest ranking Republican in the House, was also appointed to the committee by Pelosi. Just before her installation, she was dumped from party leadership after repeatedly voicing opposition to former President Donald Trump.

Jack Lombardi, who has already launched his campaign against Kinzinger in the 16th Congressional District, recently shared a meme of the veteran lawmaker depicting him as “a lapdog for Pelosi.”

In addition to applauding Cheney’s appointment, Kinzinger has defended himself by arguing the moment calls for more than just partisan politics.

“Self-governance requires accountability and responsibility,” he said in a statement. “My faith requires the same of me, truth is necessary for order, and that’s what I will do. Let me be clear, I’m a Republican dedicated to conservative values, but I swore an oath to uphold and defend the constitution --- and while this is not the position I expected to be in or sought out, when duty calls, I will always answer.”

Kinzinger’s worries don’t end there. Some are predicting his district could soon be on the chopping block as part of state Democrats' latest map redistricting plan.