Iowa Senators Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley met Tuesday with President Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz as well as both the Ag Secretary and EPA administrator regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard. Ernst says there were no changes made to the RFS following the meeting.
Cruz who wants to dismantle the RFS had been placing a hold on Bill Northey’s nomination to the USDA until he got the biofuels meeting with the President. Ernst says not only did the President leave the RFS intact he’s also interested in holding a future meeting with biofuel stakeholders.
Even though Cruz lifted his hold on the Northey nomination, Ernst doesn’t expect him to lighten up on his attacks on the RFS. She says she and Senator Chuck Grassley are both ready to defend against those going forward.
Ernst says she saw the RFS issue separate from the Northey confirmation issue. She says Senator Cruz lifted the hold on his own accord with no promises in return for that decision.
