Ernst, Grassley Seek to Cut Red Tape, Streamline Resources for Rural America

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are seeking to cut red tape and streamline the sprawling federal resources available for rural communities, while giving rural America a seat at the table in Washington, with new bipartisan legislation.

 

Their bill, which costs no new money, puts a rural-focused office inside the White House—an Office of Rural Prosperity—tasked with coordinating the federal government’s hundreds of programs supporting rural communities. Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is leading the legislation and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is also a cosponsor.

 

“As someone who lives and grew up in a rural community in Southwest Iowa, I know firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities of our small towns, families, and local businesses,” said Senator Joni Ernst. “Too often Washington forgets the needs of our rural communities, which is why I’m pleased to put forward this bipartisan plan to cut red tape for rural America and to make sure we always have a voice and a seat at the decision-making table in our nation’s capital.”

 

“I frequently hear from Iowans in rural communities who are having trouble navigating federal bureaucracy, making it more difficult to receive the assistance they need. While my office always stands ready to assist however we can, the Rural Prosperity Act will help Iowans identify and utilize relevant programs to overcome any challenges they’re facing,” Senator Chuck Grassley said.

 

The Rural Prosperity Act would establish the Office of Rural Prosperity to coordinate rural economic development programs—which number more than 400 spread across 13 departments and over 50 offices and sub-agencies. It would also form a Rural Prosperity Council which consists of members of all of the heads of executive branch departments, agencies, and offices that have programs that serve rural areas.

 

The bill, among other things, also requires the office to produce a comprehensive strategy for rural economic development annually—a Rural Prosperity Action Plan—similar to what the Trump administration produced in 2018, which will include specific issues Ernst has called for, such as:

• Relying on the best available science when reviewing or approving crop protection tools;
• Promoting the preservation of family farms passing from one generation to the next, including changes to the estate tax;
• Encouraging the production, export, and use of domestically produced agricultural products; and
• Furthering America’s energy security by promoting renewable energy and biofuel.