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Congressman Young says Trump’s trade talk understandable, but nerve-wracking

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David Young

Republican Congressman David Young says he doesn’t question President Trump’s intentions to strike better trade deals for the U.S., but Young says he and “lot of a people” in his congressional district are nervous about Trump’s trade threats.

“As a leverage tool, I understand what he’s doing,” Young says “But as a policy, we cannot allow this to go on a whole lot longer and have this become pure policy.”

Young spoke with reporters today after delivering a speech on The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Young said if Trump is able to renegotiate NAFTA and resolve trade and intellectual property disputes with China, the impact on Iowa’s economy will be “pretty incredible.”

Young also touted the impact tax cuts passed by congress and approved by the president have had on the economy.

“There’s an economic renaissance going on in Iowa and this country,” Young told the State Fair crowd, “and we have to make sure it continues.”

Young is seeking a third term in the U.S. House representing Iowa’s third district. Political analysts have rated his race with Democratic challenger Cindy Axne as a “toss-up.” Vice President Mike Pence appeared at a campaign fundraiser for Young Wednesday and later told reporters this Iowa’s third district race may decide which party controls the U.S. House in 2019.

Vice President Pence says David Young’s race may decide control of congress

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Vice President Mike Pence at an appearance in Des Moines.

Vice President Mike Pence today said there is “progress and energy” in the U.S. economy, including “better” trade deals with countries like Vietnam and Argentina. During a speech in Des Moines, though, Pence sought to allay trade war concerns in farm country.

“I’ll promise you we will never stop fighting until American farmers win like never before,” Pence said.

Pence spoke at an event sponsored by “America First Policies.” The group was created in early 2017 to promote President Trump’s agenda. Pence ran through a litany of Trump Administration actions, including “rolling back red tape,” appointing U.S. Supreme Court justices and negotiating the return of Korean War soldiers’ remains before turning to trade. Pence told the crowd the Trump Administration is fighting for a “level playing field.”

“We’ve confronted countries that frankly for too long have taken advantage of America on trade,” Pence said, “and we’ve unprecedented progress on trade deals that are free, fair and reciprocal, that put American workers and American families first.”

Pence specifically mentioned bilateral deals with Vietnam which has agreed to buy U.S. corn and wheat and for American pork sales to Argentina.

Vice President Pence talking with reporters.

“We’re working with Canada and Mexico on a re-negotiated North American Free Trade Agreement. We we’re making real progress, Iowa, I’m here to tell you,” Pence said. “We’re actually in negotiations already with Japan about a new and better trade relationship and the European Union was in just a few days ago to start the same conversation.”

Screens flanking the stage periodically flashed the message that “tax cuts to put America first” as a crowd of about 300 waited for Pence to arrive.

After his speech, Pence spoke briefly with reporters. Pence said NAFTA negotiations are “very close” to reaching a conclusion.

“As the president’s said many times, as I said today, this president, this administration are going to continue fighting for American workers and American farmers 100 percent,” Pence said.

Pence was in Iowa in July to help Republican Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque raise money. Pence headlined a private fundraiser today for Republican Congressman David Young of Van Meter. Pence told reporters Young’s race against Democrat Cindy Axne has national significance.

“There’s no quetion that Congressman Young’s district and that election may be one of the elections that decides control of congress,” Pence told reporters. “And for Americans who like what we’ve been able to do…we need Congressman David Young back in Washington, D.C. to continue that agenda.”

The Iowa Democratic Party held a news conference about two hours before Pence’s public appearance in Des Moines. They accused the Trump Administration of sacrificing farmers’ finances to a trade war that “is about to destroy our state.”

 

Iowans tell EPA chief president made E15 promise, it’s time to deliver

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Andrew Wheeler

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator met privately with Iowa commodity group leaders at the Iowa State Fair today — but Andrew Wheeler told reporters afterwards there is no decision yet on regulations that would allow a higher blend of ethanol to be sold year-round.

“I can’t tell you the timeline,” Wheeler said late this afternoon. “We are mindful of needing to have a decision on that before the growing season next year.”

Wheeler seemed to indicate EPA guidelines that would approve the sale of E15 year-round would be coupled with some sort of accommodation for the oil industry.

“We’re certainly looking to see what we can do overall as a part of a larger effort to bring more certainty around the RFS and we’re open to that and I’ve been meeting with different groups around the country — different associations that represent the ethanol people, the refiners — trying to figure out what we can do ,” Wheeler said.

Congressman Young’s office sent out this picture of the roundtable with David Wheeler.

“The important thing is the Trump Administration wants to move forward with implementing the RFS (in) both the spirit and the letter of the law.”

The Renewable Fuels Standard was established by congress and requires the EPA to annually set a mandatory production level for ethanol and other biofuels. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds criticized previous EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for granting waivers that let some oil refiners get around the federal ethanol mandate. Reynolds made the same point today as she stood next to the EPA’s acting director at a brief news conference.

“Fifteen million gallons needs to mean 15 million gallons and I think that’s the message that was delivered today in a very constructive manner,” Reynolds said “And that is something that the Adminsitration and EPA could weigh in on that would have an immediate impact on the price of corn and infuse some optimism and certainty into the market.”

Acting EPA leader Wheeler shakes hands with a man at the Iowa State Fair.

Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Hill was among the few dozen ag-industry leaders who had a private discussion with Wheeler. Hill said the meeting was “constructive,” but the Iowans didn’t get the answers they were hoping for.

“It’s been Christmas for the oil industry on every one of these deals. Where’s our deal?” Hill said. “…We’ve not gotten a thing.”

Hill said farmers and the ethanol industry appreciate that the EPA has met the deadline for setting the federal production mandate for ethanol, but they’re frustrated the waivers granted to oil refineries has effectively reduced the mandated level of ethanol production.

Congressman David Young, a Republican from Van Meter, thanked Wheeler for being “accessible” and listening to Iowa farm groups who’ve been worried about EPA foot-dragging on ethanol-related issues.

“Because of what President Trump said in promising E15, thinking it was a fabulous idea, there’s an expectation that’s going to happen,” Young said.

Young told reporters if the EPA doesn’t figure out how to authorize the sale of E15 year-round, a bipartisan coalition in congress is working on legislation to make it happen.

Challenger Axne says Congressman Young mired in ways of Washington

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Cindy Axne

Cindy Axne, the Democrat who’s challenging Republican Congressman David Young, says Iowans deserve better than the agenda being pursued by the Republican-led congress.

“Decisions that are helping corporations and the wealthy, decisions that are absolutely taking this country and this state backwards and decisions that are hurting hard-working Iowa families,” Axne says.

Axne, a small business owner, launched her bid to represent the southwest Iowa district about 15 months ago.

“Iowans are working incredibly hard and we’re playing by the rules, but Washington doesn’t have our back and we deserve better,” she says.

Axne spoke this weekend on The Des Moines Register’s Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. She described her opponent, Congressman Young, as a politician “mired” in the ways of Washington.

“Right now he stands by idly as this administration attacks our farmers, our local economies and our overall state’s economy to be successful in agriculture and we need to send somebody out to congress who stands up for Iowans,” Axne said.

Congressman Young is scheduled to speak at the same State Fair venue on Wednesday.

Iowa officials, biofuels industry hail EPA Administrator’s exit

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Scott Pruitt (file photo)

None of Iowa’s elected officials have used the phrase “good riddance,” but they are welcoming EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s resignation.

Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican, had called Pruitt “swampy.” Ernst was among those who accused Pruitt, who is from Oklahoma, of trying to undermine the federal ethanol production mandate.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said Pruitt had lost the public’s trust through his “ethical scandals” and undermining of the president’s promises on renewable fuels.

The new EPA Administrator is a former coal industry lobbyist and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds said she’s hoping he will “honor the president’s commitment to the Renewable Fuels Standard.”

The head of the National Corn Growers Association said it’s no secret farmers have been frustrated with Pruitt, who’d been granting waivers so big oil refineries didn’t have to blend as much ethanol into gasoline. The head of a biofuels industry group said Pruitt had driven “a wedge” between President Trump and his supporters in the Midwest.

Congressman David Young, a Republican from Van Meter, said Pruitt’s exit was “long overdue.” Fred Hubbell, the Democratic candidate for governor, tweeted that he’s happy to see Pruitt go if it means “less scandal and a brighter future for Iowa farmers.”

Young, Axne speak to grassroots party activists (AUDIO)

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Republican Congressman David Young says America is “leading the way” again, internationally, now that President Trump is in office.

“Getting out of the Iran agreement, sitting down at the table with the leader of North Korea, moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in Israel — some incredible things are happening right now,” Young said during a speech at the Iowa GOP’s state convention on Saturday. “We need to keep the momentum going. The last eight years, it takes a while to dig out of that. That status quo was not working.”

AUDIO of Young’s speech, 6:00

Cindy Axne of West Des Moines, Young’s Democratic challenger in the third congressional district, addressed delegates at her party’s state convention on Saturday as well.

“When I’m out talking with people across this district, Iowans are working incredibly hard and they’re playing by the rules, but one thing is for sure: Washington doesn’t have our back and we deserve better,” Axne said.

AUDIO of Axne’s speech, 4:00

The Cook Political Report — an agency that analyzes federal political candidates and races — classifies Iowa’s third congressional district as “leaning Republican” heading into November. The district covers 16 southwest Iowa counties and includes the cities of Des Moines and Council Bluffs.

Three Democrats running in Iowa’s third congressional district

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Congressman David Young. (file photo)

Republican Congressman David Young of Van Meter is seeking reelection and three Democrats are hoping they’re selected by Primary voters to challenge him in November.

Cindy Axne of West Des Moines worked in state government for nine years when Democrats Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver and Republican Terry Branstad were serving as governor. She and her husband run a digital design firm. Pete D’Alessandro of Des Moines has worked for Tom Harkin and Tom Vilsack and he was state coordinator for the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign here. Sanders has endorsed D’Alessandor and helped him raise money. Eddie Mauro of Des Moines is a former teacher and coach at the high school and community college level. He is currently president of a wholesale insurance firm that does business nationwide.

Simpson College political science professor John Epperson says Mauro’s last name is well-known in populous Polk County because his relatives have won office. Axne may benefit from being the only female in the race.

“I think she absolutely does,” Epperson says. “That doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll win.

And Epperly says D’Alessandro mainly presents himself “as the Bernie guy. That’s an interesting strategy which if you look nationally hasn’t worked all that well in most places.”

There is also a Libertarian candidate running in the third district. Bryan Holder of Council Bluffs is a Creighton Law School graduate who runs his family’s photography business.

Raising wages — three approaches from three candidates in third district

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Pete D’Alessandro

The three candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination in Iowa’s third congressional district are proposing different methods for raising incomes for low-wage workers. The topic was discussed tonight during a 90-minute forum sponsored by The Des Moines Register and KCCI television.

Pete D’Alessandro of Des Moines supports immediately raising the minimum wage to 15-dollars-an-hour.

“We should be fighting for a minimum wage that guarantees that you’re not living in poverty,” D’Alessandro said. “…That’s why I say the debate starts at $15 an hour. I won’t compromise on that.”

Cindy Axne of West Des Moines would establish an inflation factor that will keep raising the minimum wage periodically in the future and she suggests raising the wage too high too fast can have a negative effect.

“My concern is always about making sure that an individual has an opportunity for a life of dignity…and we certainly aren’t going to get there if people are laid off because businesses can’t afford it,” Axne said.

Eddie Mauro of Des Moines said rather than raising the minimum wage, he’d raise the earned income tax credit instead.

“I think we need a bolder, better and more progressive plan,” Mauro said. “…At $36,000 to $40,000 a year, you can improve your skills and then you make your wages higher, your salary’s higher and then that credit comes down some.”

The three candidates are competing to the Democrat who faces off against Republican Congressman David Young in November.

Grassley, Ernst, Young praise Trump’s decision on Iran deal

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Congressman David Young. (file photo)

Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation are praising President Trump for withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal.

Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have opposed the agreement since it was negotiated and approved by the Obama Administration. Ernst says Iran remains a threat in the Middle East and loopholes in the deal meant Iran would eventually be able to restart its nuclear program.

Grassley says the deal got “worthless commitments from a deceitful and repressive regime” and Grassley says the U.S. is showing “global leadership” by pulling out of the deal.

Congressman David Young, a Republican from Van Meter, says it’s time to hold Iran accountable for its support of Syria’s dictator and terror networks in the region. Reinstating economic sanctions against Iran is the right move, according to Young.

Pelosi says ‘small margins’ to decide if U.S. House flips to Democrats (AUDIO)

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Former Congressman Leonard Boswell introduces Nancy Pelosi.

The top-ranking Democrat in congress since 2003 says her party must focus on convincing the country Democrats have a “better deal” for Americans.

“Putting forth what our purpose is, how we connect with America’s working families and what we will do, together, to make sure they succeed,” California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the current minority leader in the U.S. House, said this evening in Des Moines.

Pelosi was the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for Polk County Democrats.

“I have probably been to Iowa more times than any other member of congress who is not running for president,” Pelosi joked at the start.

Pelosi reminisced about her first trip to Iowa, when she was chairwoman of California Democrats and dispatched to speak with Iowa Democratic Party officials about the timing of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation Caucuses. Pelosi’s main theme, focused on recalibrating the party’s message for the 2018 election. She conceded Democrats didn’t communicate well with voters in 2016 — and she recommended that Democrats “relentlessly hammer away the stark contrast” with Republicans in the months ahead.

“Republicans are giving the people a raw deal,” Pelosi said. “Democrats believe the Americans deserve a better deal.”

Pelosi told the crowd of party activists she’s hoping Democrats win two of the three Iowa congressional seats that are currently held by Republicans and Pelosi asked Iowa Democrats to seek votes in “every corner” of the state.

“People always ask: ‘Is it a tsunami or is it a wave?’ …Whatever that is, it’s a lot of small droplets of water, This is not going to be big margins,” Pelosi said. “This is going to be small margins, many places, because we’re going into Republican districts.”

Iowa Republicans held a news conference Sunday, calling Pelosi the face “of the failures of Democrats over the last several elections” and noting Pelosi’s often listed as the least popular member of congress. The chairman of Polk County Democrats told reporters Pelosi is one voice among many in the “national conversation” about the Democratic Party’s path forward. Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, who challenged Pelosi’s leadership position among House Democrats, was a speaker at the Polk County Democrats’ steak fry this past September.

Pelosi’s appearance tonight helped raise about $40,000 for turn-out-the-vote efforts in Iowa’s largest county.