Politicians flip porkchops, talk farm bill and promote renewable energy at state fair

DES MOINES, Iowa — Several Iowa politicians at the state and federal levels wandered the packed roads of the Iowa State Fair on Tuesday.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds along with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks attended Power Up Iowa Day just across from the Grandstand in the morning. The governor signed a proclamation recognizing this week as “American Clean Power Week”.

Power Up Iowa had tables set up for information on the state’s clean energy industries and how it’s supporting communities and farmers.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst was at the fair on Tuesday as well, flipping porkchops at the iconic Iowa Pork Tent. Attorney General Brenna Bird joined her as the pair grilled meat and served people water while they ate.

Senator Ernst talked with local members of the media after and commented on the progress of the farm bill in the United States Congress; as she said multiple Iowa voters asked her about the progress on the important piece of legislation.

“Lots of good conversations in the pork tent. One of the conversations, ‘get the farm bill done’. Of course, that has been everywhere across the fair. So we’ve really got to get that done. But I don’t think it’ll get done this year. It’ll probably be in the next Congress,” said Sen. Ernst. (R) from Red Oak.

Ernst said she was frustrated that in a recent agricultural hearing not long ago there were only conversations about cryptocurrency. She pointed the finger at Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) from Michigan. She is the Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

“Has nothing to do with the farm bill. So that’s why we’re not getting the farm bill done, because Democrats aren’t taking this seriously. They’re not too worried about what happens in farm country.”

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