Texas rep open to becoming House Intel chairman

Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), the lawmaker leading the House Intelligence Committee’s probe into Russia’s election interference, said this week that he is open to serving as the panel’s chairman in the future.

Asked by the Texas Tribune if he was interested in eventually helming the intelligence committee should the GOP maintain a majority in the coming years, Conaway replied, “Sure.”

Conaway, who currently serves as the chairman of House Agriculture Committee, took over the lead Republican role on the intelligence panel’s Russia investigation in April, after committee chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) temporarily stepped aside from the probe.

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Nunes’ decision to step aside from the investigation came as House investigators began looking into allegations that the California Republican may have made unauthorized disclosures of classified information. 

Nunes still remains the committee’s chairman.

In announcing his decision, Nunes said Conaway would join the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), at the helm of the Russia investigation.

Democrats have largely voiced satisfaction with Conaway’s leadership in the House investigation, which many accused of being derailed on Nunes’ watch.

The House Intelligence Committee is one of several congressional panels investigating Russia’s election meddling as well as President Trump and his associates’ alleged ties to Moscow.