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Russia probe impeding work on the Farm Bill

The second-in-command on the House Ag Committee says he’s concerned about Chairman Mike Conaway leading the investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota tells Brownfield the Russia probe could end up like the Benghazi hearing.

“Dragging on, and God only knows where it’s going to end up going.  So this could consume (Conaway), and it’s not a good outcome to have him doing this.”

He says the 2018 Farm Bill will likely be affected.

“I couldn’t do any more than what I did the year I was chairman and wrote the Farm Bill in ’08.  There’s no way I could’ve chaired another committee.  Maybe he can do it, I don’t know.  He’d be more of a man than I am if he can do it.  So I’m just worried about it.”

Speaking to Brownfield during a Farm Bill listening session hosted by the Land Stewardship Project in Redwood Falls, Peterson says he’s skeptical of Conaway’s plan.

“He’s now saying we’re not going to do (the Farm Bill) this year, we’re going to do it next year.  Well, if you do it next year, you’re in the middle of the political season.  The primaries in Texas happen in March, same thing in California.  Once you get into that, all of a sudden everyone on the committee is looking over their shoulder (about) elections and everything.  It’s just not a good idea.”

Conaway replaces House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes.

The California Congressman stepped away from the Russia investigation after coming under fire for allegedly divulging classified information to the press in March.