U.S Senator Chuck Grassley made a stop in Audubon Thursday to meet with representatives from local Farm Bureau agencies to discuss key topics in legislation relating to the farming sector. When back from Washington, D.C., Grassley participates in his 99 county tour across Iowa, visiting with schools, hospitals and other organizations to hear from constituents on work that is needing to be addressed. A question was asked about the year round sales of E-15 and Grassley says three weeks ago, everything was mapped out in the last appropriations bill of the year, but new proposals have come to the table stalling things.
Grassley says Congress is working to get things settled, but he is not sure if it will pass the House of Representatives by March 1, which is the deadline. Grassley says when first proposing year-round E15 sales, he was not expecting the pushback the legislation is receiving from the smaller oil refineries.
By passing E15 year round, Iowa Corn Growers Association’s study estimates a $14 billion more a year for corn prices. Another question asked was about a five-year farm bill and if there was any insight to passing one this year. Grassley says a bill has been through a committee in the House, but there is some stalling in the Senate.
Grassley says it’s not all fraud and that individuals might not be aware they do not meet the qualifications to be eligible for assistance. He says it’s the state’s job to sort out the individuals, especially those that have 20 percent of individuals receiving benefits that do not fall under the requirements. Grassley says a good piece of what is normally included in the farm bill was passed in the summer of 2025 with the passing of the One, Big Beautiful Bill by the Trump Administration.
Other key discussions were on Proposition 12, imports on agricultural products that are taking away producers in Iowa and more. Earlier on Thursday, Grassley met with students at Harlan High School in Shelby County.
