Conservative Congressman Introduces Amendment to Cut Funding for Robert Mueller’s Russia Probe

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is pushing an amendment that would kill funding for special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, according to Politico.

Politico reported Monday that DeSantis’ measure would cut funds to Mueller’s probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race six months after its passage.

The measure would also block Mueller from examining related matters that happened before June 2015, the month President Trump started his election campaign.

Mueller’s investigation includes whether Trump’s bid colluded with Russia before the presidential election last November.

DeSantis said in a statement that the order appointing Mueller “didn’t identify a crime to be investigated and practically invites a fishing expedition.”

“Congress should use its spending power to clarify the scope and limit the duration of this investigation,” he said.

“[Deputy Attorney General Rod] Rosenstein has said that the [Department of Justice] doesn’t conduct fishing expeditions,” DeSantis added. “The corollary to this admonition should be that Congress will not fund a fishing expedition.”

DeSantis’ amendment is one of hundreds attached to a government spending package the House is predicted to weigh when it returns from the August recess next week.

The provision is not guaranteed a vote on the House floor, according to Politico, as the chamber’s Rules Committee can discard amendments it considers out of order.

Mueller’s investigation has sparked intense national debate over its merits, and Trump has repeatedly called it a “witch hunt” against him and his administration.

NBC News reported Monday that Mueller’s team is scrutinizing Trump’s part in addressing a meeting his advisers had with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 race.

Investigators are attempting to determine what Trump knew of the huddle and if he tried obscuring it on purpose.

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