ON ISSUES RANGING FROM ELECTRIC CARS AND ETHANOL TO FARM SUBSIDIES FOR BILLIONAIRES, IOWA SENATOR JONI ERNST QUESTIONED U-S SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TOM VILSACK THIS PAST WEEK DURING A HEARING BEFORE THE SENATE AG COMMITTEE.
ERNST SAYS IT’S HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE LARGEST TEN-PERCENT OF FARMS ARE RAKING IN 70-PERCENT OF COMMODITY PAYMENTS, AND SHE SAYS CRITICAL REFORMS ARE NEEDED IN HOW THE U-S-D-A DECIDES WHO GETS THE CASH.
VERSUS1 OC…..”UNITED STATES” :20
VILSACK SAYS PROPER PROCEDURES ARE BEING STRICTLY FOLLOWED WITH REGARDS TO THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN AGRICULTURAL GRANTS THAT ARE BEING AWARDED.
VERSUS2 OC…..”ONE MORE” :20
ERNST SAYS RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE U-S-D-A GRANTS INCLUDE A MAN WHO’S ON THE FORBES BILLIONAIRES LIST, AS WELL AS A SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY THAT OWNS MAJOR PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN FIVE STATES.
VERSUS3 OC……”THESE GRANTS” :25
CATTLEMEN’S HERITAGE PROMISES TO BE A REGIONAL CATTLE PROCESSING PLANT THAT’S PLANNED FOR THE COUNCIL BLUFFS AREA. OWNERS SAY THEY’LL HIRE 800 WORKERS WHO WILL PROCESS UP TO TWO-THOUSAND HEAD OF CATTLE PER DAY WHEN THE PLANT OPENS.
VILSACK SAYS HE’S WELL AWARE OF THE ENDEAVOR.
VERSUS4 OC…….ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT” :16
ERNST APPLAUDED THE U-S-D-A’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE GREEN ENERGY, BUT DENOUNCED WHAT SHE CALLED AN “ARDENT PUSH TOWARD ELECTRIC VEHICLES,”.
SHE CALLED IOWA-MADE, CORN-BASED ETHANOL A READY-MADE RESOURCE THAT’S A CHEAPER ENERGY SOLUTION AND THAT’S “VERY BENEFICIAL FOR OUR FARMERS.”
VILSACK DIDN’T ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS DIRECTLY.
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