Updated 5:18pm 2/27/18
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has finally been confirmed as U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture by the U.S. Senate.
The senate confirmed Northey by voice vote Tuesday.
That followed a White House meeting between Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and President Trump
Cruz had held up Northey’s nomination for four months because of a dispute over the Renewable Fuels Standard.
Ernst says the meeting was a catalyst for getting Cruz to quit blocking senate confirmation of Northey but Ernst isn’t sure why Cruz finally relented:
OC………and Senator Cruz. ;09
Grassley doesn’t believe Cruz is budging on his opposition to the Renewable Fuels Standard though:
OC……any subject :05
Another meeting is planned for Thursday between ethanol producers and small oil refiners.
Oil company executives say the federal ethanol production mandate is leading to unemployment in their industry, but Ernst is not buying it.
OC…….reach a solution. ;27
Grassley says Northey’s confirmation was the only good thing to come out of Tuesday’s meeting.
The timing for Northey’s resignation and swearing-in will be announced at a later date.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will soon name a new ag secretary to complete Northey’s term, which runs through this year.
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Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has finally been confirmed as Under Secretary of Agriculture by the U.S. Senate.
The senate confirmed Northey by voice vote Tuesday.
Northey issued a statement saying that “It’s a tremendous honor to be confirmed to serve”.
Northey also thanked Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst for their strong support and work on behalf his nomination.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz had held up Northey’s nomination for four months because of a dispute over the Renewable Fuels Standard.
The timing for Northey’s resignation and swearing-in is still being finalized and will be announced at a later date.
