Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., has expressed his views in a Newsweek op-ed, arguing that former President Donald Trump's policies have positively impacted American agriculture, unlike the current administration led by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Kansas senator emphasized Trump's achievements in expanding trade markets for agricultural products, supporting the biofuels industry, and maintaining low operational costs for farms.

Senator Marshall underscored the significance of food security by stating, "Food security is national security, and we need a leader in the White House who realizes the importance of Ag, trade deals, and the 'art of the deal' that gives America the upper hand."

He criticized the Biden-Harris administration's approach to agriculture: "For four years, the Biden-Harris administration has declared war on American agriculture. Their reckless policies have plunged net farm income to its lowest point in decades. The Biden-Harris America last energy policies and rampant inflation have resulted in skyrocketing input costs, devastating our farmer’s bottom line."

Marshall further pointed out regulatory differences between the two administrations: "Where the Trump administration rolled back harmful regulations to empower farmers, Biden has expanded them, stifling innovation and suffocating our Ag sectors. Biden’s veto of a bipartisan effort to reverse the burdensome Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulations only adds insult to injury."

He praised Trump's success in opening markets through agreements like USMCA: "Trump opened vital markets in Japan, South Korea, Canada, China, and Mexico through agreements like the USMCA. These moves not only increased U.S. exports but also secured stable access to foreign markets for American farmers. In stark contrast, the Biden administration has not tried to negotiate any significant new trade agreements, effectively abandoning rural America and leaving it vulnerable."

The senator highlighted support for biofuels under Trump: "Under Trump, farmers enjoyed year-round access to E15, which benefited both the environment and the rural economy. Today, the lack of support for biofuels is a glaring oversight, stalling an industry that not only reduces carbon emissions but also sustains rural jobs."

Lastly, Marshall expressed concerns about current policies affecting land use and energy production: "The Biden-Harris policies restrict land use hinder energy production drown our producers in regulations and impose crushing interest rates creating a ripple effect that devastates our communities and drives grocery prices through the roof."

To conclude his op-ed piece Senator Marshall called for leadership change: “To revitalize rural America we need a leader in the White House who prioritizes agricultural production stands firmly against policies undermining very people humbly feed world.” He added “As agriculture goes so goes rural America so goes heartbeat of America…The stark contrast between two administrations’ policies underscores need change.”