WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, secured critical support and commitments from President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins.

Ernst's first line of questioning focused on telework policies. She requested specific details on Rollins' plan to achieve a 60% utilization rate at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) headquarters and obtained Rollins' commitment to require USDA employees to return to the office in-person. A full workforce at USDA is critical for working with Congress to craft and eventually implement the next Farm Bill.

Next, Ernst pressed Rollins on biofuels and ensured that as the head of the USDA she will support the industry and work to provide certainty to Iowa farmers and renewable fuel producers.

Finally, Ernst described how California's Proposition 12 has devasted family farms in Iowa, fueled market consolidation, and increased food costs before receiving Rollins' commitment to continue working to reverse the ballot initiative's harmful overregulation.

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"I do applaud President Trump for making E15 a priority, he did have an executive order on that, but I do look forward to securing a permanent fix in law, but we will need an all-hands-on-deck approach for crafting future RVOs that reflect production capacity and guidance on the 45Z that will support American farmers," said Ernst. "So, Ms. Rollins, the USDA has a very big role to play when crafting these policies. As Secretary, will you commit to supporting biofuels and working with me to provide certainty to our farmers and the entire renewable fuel industry?"

"Yes, Senator, and I really look forward to that. I think there's no question where President Trump stands on this," said Rollins in response. "I really look forward to working with you but also with my friend Lee Zeldin, if confirmed over at EPA on a piece of this. On 45Z with my friend Scott Bessent over at Treasury. I think that you all will find and hopefully be encouraged that the cabinet, if confirmed, we all know each other, are friends. Many of us are like family, and we really are looking forward to working together on these cross-agency issues like what you've just outlined."

Background:

Ernst works tirelessly on behalf of Iowa farmers and producers.

She has been a leading advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels, securing access to E15 for the summer driving months, while continuing the call for permanent, nationwide availability that would give those in the biofuel industry the certainty they deserve. She has also advocated for raising RVO obligations to match biofuel production capacity and blasted the Biden administration for leaving behind all of rural America with the incomplete, delayed 45Z guidance.

Since Proposition 12 passed in 2018, she has been a vocal opponent of California's attempts to regulate hardworking pork producers in Iowa and is leading the charge to strike down this harmful initiative that threatens all of American agriculture.

Ernst has taken action to protect our farmland from foreign adversaries and stood up for Iowa farmers on trade issues. She has also been on the front lines of helpingIowa farmers get the resources they need to recover from natural disasters and fight back against the spread of foreign animal disease.

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