Yes. I understand that a substitution at this stage would be a difficult, but not impossible.
Exactly. What is his purpose for remaining on the job? His loss of a key committee position, and the time he needs to expend in his own defense, renders him ineffective as the advocate for the 27th. To sum up, Chris Collins has a job, but no effective ability to work. He is simply collecting a paycheck, perks, and benefits, serving his own personal interests, and celebrating his own ego.
"Screws" is the tactful way of putting it.
I love his defense. In a paraphrase, "I did not sell the stock based on the inside information."
The problem is, the Feds never said he sold the stock based on inside information. He is charged with giving that information to his son, who sold his stock, and provided that information to his friends.
He apparently is defending against an illusory charge.