The Trump administration sounded out Iowa’s Republican senators about a meeting to discuss the biofuels mandate and its impact on oil-producing states, says Reuters. “The effort is the clearest sign yet (President) Trump is seeking to mediate the long-running dispute between the U.S. oil industry and corn growers over the Renewable Fuel Standard, a law requiring refiners to blend increasing volumes of biofuels like corn-based ethanol every year into the nation’s fuels.”
Trump met nine GOP senators from oil states last week to hear their argument that blue-collar jobs at oil refineries are in jeopardy because of costs of complying with the RFS. There was no immediate resolution. Louisiana Sen Bill Cassidy was quoted by Reuters as saying the president’s attitude was “get it done. Get both sides together and find a win-win.”
White House chief of staff John Kelly called Sen Chuck Grassley to discuss the possibility of a meeting and a Grassley spokesman said the Iowan “would of course meet with any senator who requests a meeting,” reported Reuters. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue called Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst to discuss the ethanol mandate, according to an unnamed source, said the wire service.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has blocked a Senate vote on USDA nominee Bill Northey as part of the conflict over the RFS for 2018. The USDA said last week that it was time for Cruz to release his hold.