D.C. Dispatch: Farm bill, Greenfield tornado recovery and bipartisan rankings

Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley, center, talk with first responders, volunteers and local officials about disaster recovery after Tuesday's tornado in Greenfield. (Photo courtesy of Grassley's office)

Iowa lawmakers focused on a farm bill headed to the House floor, biofuel production levels, student loans and more this week ahead of a weeklong recess.

Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation also reacted to storms and floods that affected Iowans, including a deadly tornado that hit Greenfield Tuesday. 

Here’s a look at what the delegation was up to this week:

Rapid tornado, flood aid requested

Storms that hit Iowa, including one killing four in Greenfield, have prompted Iowa’s delegation to ask for a granting of a disaster declaration for the state of Iowa. 

The six delegates wrote to President Joe Biden asking him to grant Gov. Kim Reynolds’ request for public assistance for Adair County and individual assistance for Adair, Polk, Story and Montgomery counties. The declaration was approved Friday.

“The Governor has determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and supplementary federal assistance is necessary,” the lawmakers wrote. 

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst visited the town Friday.

Nunn, who represents Greenfield in Congress, reacted to the storms on X:

Rep. Ashley Hinson said she will work at the federal level to help Iowans:

Farm bill

Republicans’ version of the farm bill was introduced this week and passed the House Agriculture Committee, including initiatives from Iowa delegates. The bill heads to the House floor for a vote. 

Rep. Randy Feenstra said in a news release that 10 bills he introduced were included in this version of the five-year farm bill, including initiatives targeting improved trade capabilities, crop insurance, research funding and how Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are administered. 

SNAP and related nutrition programs account for a majority of the spending in the Farm Bill, and the current bill includes changes to how nutrition programs operate. 

“The conversations that I have had with my Agriculture Advisory Board and with farmers and producers on my agriculture tour have informed my priorities for rural Iowa, which are now included in the Farm Bill,” Feenstra said in a news release.

Rep. Zach Nunn said he led 17 bills, including those aimed at assisting small businesses and child and health care and targeting puppy mill protocol.

According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat from Michigan, the bill does not have the votes to pass the House or Senate. 

Senators contest student loan forgiveness

Grassley and Ernst signed a letter with 129 other federal lawmakers to Biden, in which they “strongly urge” the president to withdraw targeted relief of student loans. 

“In addition to the fiscally irresponsible nature of this backdoor attempt to enact ‘free’ college, the administration continues to use borrowers as political pawns knowing full well these proposed actions are illegal,” the lawmakers wrote. 

In April, the Biden administration announced a proposal to relieve billions in student loan debt. 

The lawmakers stated that among the people who would receive relief under the forgiveness, some of the forgiven loans would help the wealthy. 

Biofuel production level disagreement

Grassley, Ernst and Feenstra asked Biden and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for higher Renewable Fuel Standard levels following a 2023 decision that the lawmakers say partially resulted in the closing of two biodiesel plants, including one in Iowa. 

“The policy decisions you made have real world impacts – the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels in no way reflected the growth of the renewable diesel industry that had already occurred, let alone what was projected over the 3-year period,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter Wednesday.

The lawmakers asked the executive branch members to increase volumes already set in place, citing what the lawmakers referred to as a precedent when the EPA amended a decision to reduce volumes in 2022. 

“For the biomass-based diesel industry to continue to grow, it needs certainty and predictability, and this requires RVOs that adequately reflect the growth potential of biomass-based diesel production,” the lawmakers wrote. “Therefore, we urge you to immediately reconsider your past decision and raise the 2024 and 2025 RVO levels for biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuels and overall renewable fuels to support American farmers, rural communities, and our economy at large.”

South African pork market

Feenstra led a letter with Rep. Greg Murphy, a Republican representing North Carolina, concerning South African restrictions on U.S. pork products. The letter was sent to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. 

According to the 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, South Africa imposes freezing requirements inconsistent with international standards and restrictions on cuts eligible for import concerning Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. 

“We urge you raise these issues in your bilateral conversations with the South African Government and consider them as you conduct the ongoing African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) annual review process,” the lawmakers wrote. “Further, as Congress considers renewal of AGOA, we stand ready to work with you to ensure the United States Trade Representative has effective tools available to enforce equitable, science-based treatment for U.S. pork exports to South Africa.”

Twenty-seven representatives, including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Hinson, signed the letter. 

Bipartisan recognition

Georgetown University’s Lugar Center – McCourt School of Bipartisan Index recently released its ratings for each delegate when working with members of the other political party during the first session of the 118th Congress, the 2023 calendar year. 

All four U.S. representatives representing Iowa were ranked in the top half of their colleagues for bipartisan work, including Nunn who was ranked 10th of 436. Miller-Meeks was ranked 70th, Feenstra was ranked 123rd and Hinson was ranked 142nd.

“In the Air Force, I learned that no successful mission can be completed alone,” Nunn said in a news release. “That’s why I’m committed to reaching across the aisle to work with those who are willing to roll up their sleeves, have hard conversations, and find real solutions to the problems that face Iowa families. While partisan bickering is often what grabs headlines, I’m proud of the difference we’ve been able to make for Iowa families by working in a bipartisan way.”

Nunn is in his first term after defeating former Rep. Cindy Axne, a Democrat, by 2,145 votes, or 0.7% in 2022.

On the Senate report, Grassley was ranked 11th, while Ernst was ranked 52nd out of 98 senators. 

“During my annual 99 county meetings, Iowans often ask why politicians in Washington can’t get along,” Grassley said in a news release. “I let them know that bipartisanship does happen – it just doesn’t get media attention because it lacks controversy. In fact, bipartisanship is a necessity. Most bills need 60 votes to pass, and we simply don’t have 60 senators of the same party.” 

Grassley is also ranked the second most bipartisan senator among senators who have served in at least 10 Congresses since 1993.  

“I’ll join any one of my colleagues if it means we can get something positive done for the people of Iowa,” Grassley said. “I’m honored by this recognition and will continue my work passing legislation and improving the lives of Iowans through bipartisanship.”

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