Northey not bothered by nomination delay

by | Nov 7, 2017 | 5 Ag Stories, News

Department of Agriculture nominee and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says he expects the hold on his nomination will be resolved, but in the meantime, is fulfilling his duties in Iowa. During a speech last week in Iowa, Northey says he’s not bothered by his current situation, adding “until that political skirmish is settled, my days are, for the most part, consumed with being Iowa secretary of agriculture,? telling the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gazette.

Northey is the midst of his presumed last tour of Iowa agriculture as the state?s Agriculture Secretary, having visited more than 80 counties. Northey?s nomination as USDA?s undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services by President Trump is being held up by an oil-state senator.

Republican Ted Cruz of Texas is demanding a meeting with the Trump administration over the Renewable Fuel Standard, a perceived retaliation after ethanol-producing states convinced the administration to drop two proposals that they claim would weaken the RFS.