A last-minute White House push to delay a federal ban on hemp-derived intoxicating products is fueling suspicion on Capitol Hill that the administration is protecting the business interests of a top aide's family.
As lawmakers rush to finish a stopgap funding bill before August recess, Republicans and Democrats alike are questioning why the White House reversed course after initially backing the ban signed into law by President Donald Trump, MS NOW reported Thursday.
"Increasingly, lawmakers and aides are discussing who stands to benefit from the delay," the network reported. "And one name keeps coming up in those conversations: White House chief of staff Susie Wiles."
Her new son-in-law, Bret Worley, runs MC Nutraceuticals, a major hemp products company that has urged industry allies to lobby lawmakers for a delay.
White House spokesman Kush Desai denied any involvement by Wiles, saying she has "never lobbied in favor of this or any other position on hemp with Capitol Hill." Neither Wiles nor Worley responded to requests for comment.
The stopgap bill would push the ban's implementation from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, but Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) is pushing an amendment to strip that delay, calling the White House's position baffling since the president signed the legislation last November.
"I tried to track down the origins, but I think this is absolutely ridiculous," Budd said, adding the administration has had nine months to act.
The dispute boiled over Wednesday when Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) confronted White House legislative director James Braid during a private GOP lunch, calling the products "gas station marijuana candy," and Braid reportedly promised no further delays.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called the exchange a "big blow up," while Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) mocked colleagues' alarm, comparing it to "Reefer Madness" hysteria and vowing to push legislation letting states regulate hemp themselves.
Democratic aides say cannabis industry representatives pushing to keep restrictions in place have also raised questions about the Wiles family connection. A New York Times report Wednesday noted MC Nutraceuticals told prospective customers the industry now has "a seat at the table" after the delay was added to the funding bill.
Most Republicans say they'll accept the short delay despite the murky rationale. Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) said he opposes hemp products generally but has no issue with "a three- or four-week delay."
Sen. Pete Ricketts(R-NE) who is co-sponsoring Budd's amendment, admitted he couldn't explain the White House's reasoning: "You'll have to ask the White House."