Rep. Randy Feenstra Questions Ag Sec. Rollins on Market Access and Biofuels

Boosting Market Access for U.S. Commodities

• 🎯 Rep. Randy Feenstra questioned Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on improving market access for U.S. commodities during a House Agriculture Committee hearing.
• 🇺🇸 Feenstra praised Rollins for delivering on Trump's "America First" farming agenda and highlighted the importance of promises made and kept.

Ethanol and Biodiesel Success

• 🌽 Feenstra inquired about the future of ethanol and biodiesel, asking how to ensure their success and what the USDA can do to protect the farming community and create markets.
• 🤝 Rollins noted the president's resolute support for the industry and mentioned the recent UK trade deal, which resulted in a 0% tariff on ethanol.
• 🌍 This new trade agreement is expected to help move ethanol globally in an unprecedented way, greatly benefiting farmers.

SNAP Benefits and Fiscal Responsibility

• 💰 Feenstra raised concerns about SNAP benefits, focusing on reducing fraud, waste, abuse, and error rates, particularly in states with high error rates.
• 📉 Rollins emphasized the need to get error rates under control, calling it fiscal responsibility to taxpayers who fund these programs.
• 💸 She criticized the previous administration for the "willy-nilly" spending of taxpayer dollars without regard for fiscal responsibility or ensuring programs reached those in need.

Expanding Export Markets

• ✈️ Feenstra asked about opening more export markets for commodities like corn and soybeans, referencing the UK deal.
• 🗺️ Rollins detailed her extensive travel to countries like the UK, Italy, Vietnam, Japan, India, Peru, and Brazil to discuss trade.
• ⚖️ She highlighted that many countries understand the unsustainability of the current tariff imbalance (15% on U.S. ag products vs. 5% on theirs) and are eager for better trade relations.
• 📈 Rollins cited Italy's import of $75 billion in ag products annually, with only $1.7 billion from America, indicating significant room for growth.
• 🤝 The strategy involves being on the ground, sending teams globally, and having the president act as the chief negotiator to ensure American products are prioritized.

Support for Iowa Agriculture

• 🐔 Feenstra thanked Secretary Rollins for her prompt response to the bird flu outbreak in his district.
• 🐄 He extended an invitation to the Iowa State Fair for the governor's steer show.