Ernst on Farm Bill

Iowa and national lawmakers have been offering a guarded positive outlook for the Farm Bill as Congress prepares to return from its current recess. Recently Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is offering her view on why she believes lawmakers still have a chance to get the legislation to move on the bill. Ernst said several major issues still have to be decided, including priorities with implications on Iowa agriculture. One is California’s Proposition 12 and its impact on Iowa pork producers. Ernst said she wants to see language confronting the issue included in the final Farm Bill. Another is year-round E15. Ernst said she feels the Senate version holds a bipartisan approach to E15, but said SNAP remains one of the most controversial issues separating Republicans and Democrats. That dispute becomes essential in the process because the Farm Bill will need 60 votes to clear the Senate.This endeavor also carries some personal importance for Ernst as she advances toward the end of her time in the Senate. She was part of the effort  that finalized the 2018 Farm Bill and said she wishes lawmakers can complete another one before she ends her term.