House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff Adam Bennett SchiffPelosi, Democrats unveil bills to rein in alleged White House abuses of power Chris Matthews ripped for complimenting Trump's 'true presidential behavior' on Ginsburg Trump casts doubt on Ginsburg statement, wonders if it was written by Schiff, Pelosi or Schumer MORE (D-Calif.) suggested in an interview that aired Sunday that impeachment proceeding against President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE could be used as an oversight tool to gain information that the House has been seeking.

Schiff said on CBS's Face the Nation that what could drive impeachment is not the president's conduct in special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's report, but rather how the administration "is engaging in a maximum obstructionism campaign against Congress."

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"I think that we are seeing more members that recognize that the administration is acting in a lawless fashion, essentially having obstructed justice, is now obstructing Congress and our lawful function.," he said. "And if we conclude that there's no other way to do our jobs, no other way to do the oversight, no other way to show the American people what this president has done, his- his unethical and illegal acts as outlined in the Mueller Report, then we may get there."

Host Margaret Brennan asked Schiff if he was saying that opening up impeachment proceedings would allow him to get necessary information and evidence, even if it ultimately fails to remove the president.



"It provides an additional tool," Schiff said. "We have been gradually escalating the tactics we need to use to get information for the American people."

"If the only way that we can do our oversight is through an impeachment proceeding then maybe we have to go down that road," he added. "But I think it'll be important to show the American people this was a decision made reluctantly."

Rep. Adam Schiff says impeachment proceedings against President Trump could be a "tool" to get information and evidence that the administration is blocking from Congress https://t.co/WQw5C7PoEr pic.twitter.com/1lXo5BoWpy — CBS News (@CBSNews) May 19, 2019

The White House last week defied a House Judiciary Committee subpoena for records related to its oversight. The Treasury Department also rejected a congressional subpoena for Trump's tax returns, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin saying in a letter that the demand "lacks a legitimate legislative purpose."

Earlier this month, the Judiciary panel voted to hold Attorney General William Barr Bill BarrHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Hillicon Valley: DOJ proposes tech liability shield reform to Congress | Treasury sanctions individuals, groups tied to Russian malign influence activities | House Republican introduces bill to set standards for self-driving cars McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE in contempt of court after he did not comply with a subpoena for an unredacted version of the Mueller report and its underlying evidence.