What could the next four years look like for Ag? (conclusion)

by | Nov 11, 2020 | 5 Ag Stories, News

We have spent the past two days looking at an analysis of what the next four years could look like for agriculture under a Biden administration. Part one looked at the way the state and federal elections will shape who is in leadership positions. Yesterday, in part two, we talked about how trade and environmental policy might look. Today, we conclude as Syngenta Senior Manager of Federal Government and Industry Relations Mary Kay Thatcher talks about her concerns with a lack of bipartisanship in rural America.

As we have in the past entries in this series, we remind you that Thatcher is examining these things based on three things:

  1. Joe Biden wins the White House
  2. Republicans maintain control of the Senate
  3. Democrats keep control of the House of Representatives

Mary Kay Thatcher talked about similarities she sees in Biden to what she saw in former President Gerald Ford. In that regard, she means the level of experience in Congress and the number of allies he has on both sides of the aisle. She thinks that experience can serve him well when working with a Capitol Hill that is split.

Thatcher also said that by maintaining the divided Congress, and the lack of a ?blue wave?, there is no ?mandate of the people.” Negotiations will have to take place. Thatcher says that Biden will recognize it and be able to work with it.

Another thing that Thatcher highlighted is that with a Biden White House, he will be more apt to listen to Democratic Senators on agricultural issues. With a vast Majority of Midwest Senators being Republican, that means sectors like biofuels will have to lean on the assistance of Senators in Minnesota and Illinois.

Thatcher also talked about her concern that there is a ?lack of bipartisanship? when it comes to rural representation in the House of Representatives. Right now, 70 purely rural representatives are split 62-8 in favor of Republicans. She said that can become an issue when you are trying to advance policies across the aisle with a Democratic House and White House. Agriculture thrives on bipartisan cooperation according to Thatcher.

As we wrap up this series, it easy to see that there are going to be challenges in the future for agriculture. Thatcher looks for those challenges to be hurdles we can overcome if the spirit of bipartisanship can be allowed to work. All of this remains to be seen as we wait for the next Congress to be seated, and the January 20th inauguration.