Trump makes policy pledge to senator investigating son's Russia meeting

[Native]

Source: The Guardian

Donald Trump called a senior Republican senator from Iowa on Wednesday whose congressional committee is investigating his son, Donald Trump Jr, and promised him critical federal support for the biofuel ethanol, a key issue for the lawmaker.

Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Senate judiciary committee and a major advocate of the ethanol industry, announced on Twitter that he had received a phone call from Trump and had been assured by the US president that Trump was “pro ethanol” and was “standing by his campaign promise” to support the biofuel.

The phone call came less than a day after CNN reported that Trump’s eldest son had reached an agreement with the committee to appear in a private session and answer investigators’ questions. The committee, which has oversight of the Department of Justice, is investigating a 2016 meeting that occurred in Trump Tower before November’s election. During the meeting, Trump Jr and other campaign staff met with Russian operatives after being promised compromising information about the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on what prompted the president to call Grassley and promise him support for ethanol – a vital issue for Grassley’s home state – or whether the two discussed Grassley’s oversight of the committee’s Russia probe.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/30/trump-tower-russia-meeting-chuck-grassley?CMP=share_btn_tw

[lark]

1. Like mafia dons everywhere, I'm sure he made it plain.

Senator, I always take good care of those who take good care of me. Of course, this is a total lie, he screws over everyone (except Putin) regardless.

[NewJeffCT]

3. yep

I'm sure it was something like "nice ethanol industry you have there in Iowa. Would be a shame if something happened to it..."

[Cryptoad]

5. Don the Con knows,,,

all those Russian Mafia Tactics,,,,,,,,,

[avebury]

2. And if Grassley accepts the deal then he should be charged

with accepting a bribe because that is exactly what Trump is offering. Trump has now made that federal support for biofuel ethanol toxic. Nobody of character should do anywhere near it.

[Cryptoad]

4. wink wink nod nod,,,,,,,,,,,!!!!!

[vkkv]

6. Corrupt to the bone. nt

[napi21]

7. What would make Grassley believe the crinic liar would keep this promise?

He's broken almost every promise he made during the campaign. I wouldn't ever trust what he says!

[packman]

8. He made him an offer he could refuse????

Not even a good Godfather

[FairWinds]

9. Actually, corn ethanol is a scam . .

welfare for Big Ag that has cost taxpayers many billions . .

And it can mess up your car's motor (and your boat's)

Democrats should oppose it loudly.

[Botany]

16. And it raises the price for all kinds of other things too.

Chicken feed costs more than just "chicken feed" too.

And I had an almost brand new chain saw ruined because of ethonal in the gas.

[James48]

17. Flip side -

Ethanol takes carbon out of the air, and recycles it- leading to lower carbon level being added to the atmosphere.

Democrats should support ethanol- it's not perfect- but it IS a liquid fuel, easily made domestically, and keeps energy dollars within the United States.

[billh58]

19. And the downside...

Energy efficiency aside, those in Pimentel's camp actually don't see corn as a truly renewable energy source. Pimentel estimates that powering a car for a single year using ethanol would require 11 acres (44,515 square meters) of corn, space that can be used to feed at least seven people [source: Health and Energy]. Since corn fields in the United States take a while to replenish themselves, due to both soil erosion and irrigation issues, those acres would ultimately be out of commission for an extended period of time, meaning no corn for ethanol and no usable land for other food crops. To sustain an ethanol-based fuel industry, more and more farm land would have to be set aside for corn alone. The ultimate result could be a shortage of domestically grown food and higher prices at the supermarket for all sorts of produce.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/fuel-efficiency/alternative-fuels/ethanol-facts1.htm

[Wellstone ruled]

10. Chuckie loves the

lime light. Watch and see how he try's to delay his hearings. He will do all he can to save his Parties Face.

[The Wielding Truth]

11. Ooooooo...corruption.

[kairos12]

12. Never a kernel of truth in anything Gropper Don says.

[ffr]

13. Quid-pro-quo

What else?!

[Cold War Spook]

14. Ethanol is bad for car engines.

For small engines like boats, lawn mowers or weed eaters it is a disaster. I am lucky enough to live near a gas station that sells ethanol free gas.

[James48]

18. Unless you have a flexfuel auto like me.

Then it is a god send when oil prices go haywire, and you realize that you have a CHOICE to run something other than petroleum gasoline in your car.

Biofuel is much, much better. No, it's not perfect, but it IS an alternative.

I paid $1.56 a gallon yesterday for E-85. Yes, you don't find it everywhere. But I have found plenty of locations in my state, and rarely do I ever buy gasoline any more.

http://www.e85prices.com

[Ilsa]

15. Don the con probably thinks we can't see it. ONLY HE can

get away with pulling this stunt, just like ONLY HE can fix everything.

[pecosbob]

20. Can this schmuck go a single day without obstructing justice?

[Danascot]

21. Ho Hum

Another day, another act of obstruction by the orange one. Are we still in the dozens or have we broken 100 yet?

[Hugin]

22. File this crap under "Obstruction of Justice"...

and maybe Bribery. Any way you look at it, it's an impeachable offence.