[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2741-S2742]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                  IOWA

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, on another matter, as I hold my 99 
county meetings, I always hear from the farmers about the ag economy, 
and it is a top concern for all Iowans, of course, because Iowa is the 
No. 1 State in the Nation for food production.
  Yesterday, I welcomed the opportunity to discuss what is on the minds 
of family farmers with Agriculture Secretary Rollins as she appeared 
for her annual oversight appearance before the Senate Agriculture 
Committee. And it happens that I believe that the Madam Secretary is a 
great advocate for the family farmers, and I appreciate how she is 
handling the Office of the Agriculture Secretary.
  Now, back home in Iowa, I hear Congress could do more to help the 
farmers. For instance, I hear about year-round E15. Now, that is good 
for the consumers because it would reduce gas prices 20 to 40 cents, 
but it is also good because our major crop in Iowa--corn--is where 
ethanol is manufactured from.
  And then I also hear from the agriculture community about we need to 
deal with the problem of the State of California having what is called 
Proposition 12, and that prohibits Iowa pork that isn't raised just 
exactly the way California says it is raised. It can't be sold in the 
State of California, and that ought to irritate Members of Congress 
because 1 of the 18 powers of Congress under the Constitution in 
article I is the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.
  So we have 1 State out of 50--California--saying that you can't sell 
pork in their State--and California is about 15 percent of the consumer 
market in the United States--if it isn't raised just exactly the way 
the law of California says it should be raised. So the farmers of Iowa 
are telling me: Get rid of Proposition 12.
  Now, basics of a strong society is feeding your people. And the tax 
bill that the President signed last July 4, called the Working Families 
Tax Cut, was a good start to strengthening farm programs because we 
strengthened the farm safety net by raising support prices for corn to 
$4.10 and soybeans to $10 a bushel. But that isn't enough to help 
farmers that are underwater, not making a profit. So there is more work 
that needs to be done.
  So here, in somewhat of a repetitive statement, it is time for the 
Senate to pass a 5-year farm bill. The last one was 2018. Inflation 
affecting agriculture demands that there be some changes in the 2018 
farm bill and that we pass E15 by law and not rely on Presidential 
waivers anymore and that we pass Proposition 12 legislation to get rid 
of the bad environment in California for selling our product there--
pork--because Iowa is the No. 1 pork producer in the Nation.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

[[Page S2742]]

  

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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