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GOP House member on ag appropriations subcommittee resigns after felony conviction

The ranking member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee for agriculture has resigned after being convicted of lying to the FBI.

A California jury found Jeff Fortenberry, a Republican from Nebraska, guilty on three counts of lying to federal agents about an illegal campaign donation.

In a letter to his colleagues, Fortenberry said he would leave his position on March 31.  Thursday, he was found guilty in Los Angeles for making a pair of false statements and falsifying and concealing material facts.

Fortenberry served as the ranking member for the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies.

The subcommittee is responsible for overseeing the Department of Agriculture, Farm Credit Administration, Farm Credit System Financial Assistance Corporation, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and related programs.