Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) has made a name for himself on the House Oversight Committee by attacking Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) and derailing discussions on President Joe Biden’s impeachment. Moskowitz, known for unconventional tactics, has mastered parliamentary rules and debunked Russian propaganda while getting under Comer’s skin. Comer has faced criticism for his failed impeachment efforts, with the most corroborating new evidence being debunked as made up. Moskowitz has been one of the most visible Democrats on the committee and has used his five minutes wisely by ignoring protocol and questioning Comer directly.
Moskowitz’s political career began when he worked for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, leading the state’s emergency management department. He garnered attention during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic by calling out multinational conglomerate 3M for selling masks overseas instead of to the Florida government. His efforts to secure masks for frontline workers earned him a spot on Fox News and national recognition for standing up for his people in challenging times. Moskowitz’s background includes a history of advocating for gun control laws after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
As a member of the Florida Legislature, Moskowitz helped draft landmark gun control legislation and was later appointed by DeSantis to run the state’s emergency management division. He later won election to Congress, representing Florida’s 23rd Congressional District. Moskowitz is known for being a reliable Democratic vote, although he has broken with the party on certain issues related to Israel. He saw an opportunity to join the House Oversight Committee to challenge figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and push back against Republican tactics during hearings.
Moskowitz has used unconventional methods to provoke Comer and disrupt the impeachment discussions. During a hearing in January, Moskowitz brought a giant photo of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein, irking Republicans on the committee. Comer’s infamous response calling Moskowitz a Smurf highlighted the tension between the two lawmakers. Moskowitz has continued to challenge Comer and Republicans on the committee, wearing a Smurf tie and a Vladimir Putin mask to make a statement about their handling of impeachment proceedings.
The rivalry between Comer and Moskowitz is real, with moments of tension even outside of committee meetings. After encountering each other in an airport bathroom, both men made a point to ignore each other, reflecting the deep divide between the two lawmakers. Moskowitz’s determination to challenge Comer and the Republican agenda during hearings has made him a standout figure on the House Oversight Committee. His willingness to break from tradition and focus on getting his message across has set him apart from other members of Congress. Despite criticism from Republicans, Moskowitz remains committed to using his platform to push for accountability and transparency in government proceedings.
