Ernst and Fellow Iowans Call on Congress to Pass the USMCA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, welcomed two Iowans to Washington, D.C. to testify before the committee and to share their perspectives on the livestock and poultry industries. Senator Ernst introduced both Iowans at the committee hearing.

During the hearing, Senator Ernst questioned the Iowa witnesses on how important it is to their industries for Congress to get trade deals done, particularly the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and an agreement with Japan—which the Trump Administration announced, and Ernst applauded, later in the week.

Click HERE for a video download of Senator Ernst’s questioning.

In response to one of Ernst’s questions, turkey grower Ron Kardel of Walcott, Iowa said, “The USMCA is the obvious answer to your question because that could be done tomorrow and we could have some definition and clear view of what’s coming.”

Background on the two Iowa witnesses:

Mr. Ron Kardel of Walcott, Iowa

Vice Chairman of the National Turkey Federation and West Liberty Foods, turkey, corn and soybean farmer

• Click HERE for a video download link to Mr. Kardel’s introduction by Senator Ernst.
• Click HERE for a video download link to Mr. Kardel’s opening statement.

Mr. Trent Thiele of Elma, Iowa

President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and partner in KMAX Farms, LLC

• Click HERE for a video download link to Mr. Thiele’s introduction by Senator Ernst.
• Click HERE for a video download link to Mr. Thiele’s opening statement.

The full committee video in its entirety can be viewed HERE.

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