Pictured (L-R): Senator Joni Ernst; Jefferson Location Manager, Ethan Tolby; Landus Cooperative Chief Commodity Marketing Officer, Ron DeJongh; and Landus Cooperative Chief Animal Nutrition Officer, Mark Cullen

Iowa Senator, Joni Ernst, says they are moving closer to ratifying the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA), but she is not optimistic it will be approved this year if it does not make it through the House of Representatives by September. According to Ernst, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, appears to want the agreement to be approved but is holding up the process due to resistance from some Democrats.

Ernst says what she is hearing from opponents of the USMCA is that there is not enough that addresses labor or environmental concerns. She says the bill covers both.

Other opponents have indicated to Ernst that they would like to see some amendments to the USMCA. However, Mexico has already ratified the agreement and Canada is in the process of doing so. Ernst says changing the bill is no longer an option.

According to Ernst, the clock is ticking for the USMCA as farmers, livestock producers and cooperative across the country prepare for the fall harvest. And with the 2020 elections just over a year away, Ernst is worried it might be put on the back burner if it is not addressed by September.

Ernst made her comments Friday afternoon during a visit to Landus Cooperative’s facility in Jefferson.