Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently indicated it could be mid-May before the confirmation hearing is held for Robert Lighthizer for U.S. Trade Representative. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Kurt Hora says the Senate needs to quickly confirm Lighthizer because that position is critical for U.S. agriculture and trade.

Hora says the industry also needs a U.S. Trade Representative in place to renegotiate NAFTA and restore the Mexican market for U.S. corn.

He says the confirmation for Lighthizer is long overdue.

Hora says now that Sonny Perdue is in place as Ag Secretary, it only makes sense for the Senate to confirm the USTR as well.