News

Calls for Pruitt firing get louder during Iowa Ag Secretary forum

The calls by ag and renewable fuels advocates for EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to be fired are getting louder.

Six candidates vying to replace USDA undersecretary Bill Northey as Iowa’s next Agriculture Secretary took part in a forum Thursday hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association.  The five Republicans and lone Democrat were all asked what they would say to the Trump Administration about Pruitt issuing hardship waivers to oil refiners.

“Mr. President, we need to talk with Administrator Pruitt and tell him you’re either going to follow the law or you’re fired.  And I think Senator Grassley is ready to do that today.”

That’s Ray Gaesser, a southwest Iowa farmer and former president of the American Soybean Association.

Democrat Tim Gannon, who’s worked for USDA’s Risk Management Agency, wants Pruitt out now.

“Hopefully at this point in time, President Trump would say you’re fired.”

Iowa Senate Ag Committee chairman Dan Zumbach has concerns about who’s pulling the strings at EPA.

“Pruitt is a voice for Big Oil.”

And one-time Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Lang sums up how the other ag secretary candidates view Pruitt’s handling of the Renewable Fuel Standard.

“Maybe it’s time for President Trump to tell Pruitt he’s fired.”

The ag secretary candidate forum was held at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.