Agriculture

Every month, when Iowa families look over their finances and put together a budget, the price of gas is always an unpredictable factor in spending decisions. While people in urban centers have access to other transportation options, in rural Iowa, we drive – everywhere. Going to work, driving to church, seeing friends in other communities, and taking our kids to school and practice all require a car – and in the wintertime, an electric vehicle just won’t cut it.

The U.S. biofuels industry is a critical component of our economy, an important economic engine in rural America, and a vital source for good-paying jobs. These low-cost, low-carbon fuels support American energy independence, help our farmers, and lower prices at the pump for our families. While many Midwestern states tout strong biofuels production, our home states stand out. Iowa leads the nation in growing corn while Illinois leads in growing soybeans.

When I’m visiting with farmers and producers on my Feenstra Agriculture Tour, excessive overreach by the federal government is a topic of great concern. From proposed bans on pesticides to unworkable green energy mandates, our producers face higher costs, more red tape, and ridiculous regulations that squeeze their bottom line and hurt our economy. There is no more glaring example than President Biden’s expansive and intrusive Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

The long-term success of American agriculture depends on robust access to new and developing markets. As the breadbasket to the world, our farmers grow and raise far more product than we can consume and use here at home. Therefore, we must actively work to open new export markets for American agriculture and eliminate trade barriers – both tangible and intangible – that prevent our agricultural goods from reaching foreign markets.

This week is National Agriculture Week – a time to recognize, celebrate, and thank the hardworking men and women who feed and fuel our country and the world. Our farmers and producers work long hours in all kinds of weather to grow and raise the food that we put on our tables, the feed that we use for our livestock, and the fuel that we put in our cars, trucks, and tractors. We retain the cherished status as the breadbasket to our country and the world because of the sacrifice, dedication, and long-held traditions of our farmers and their families.

We’re all familiar with the grief and pain that comes with losing a loved one. Whether a death is unexpected or occurs after a long battle with an illness, families must make funeral arrangements, settle an estate, and manage any outstanding personal or business debts. The last thing families need is an enormous tax bill – known as the death tax – from the federal government after a family death.