"If you do want to talk about ethanol, I am happy to talk about ethanol," Ernst offered

[dajoki]

Trump writes the GOP impeachment playbook: Scorched earth. But will it work?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-writes-the-gop-impeachment-playbook-scorched-earth-but-will-it-work/2019/09/26/a5e4b494-e06f-11e9-be96-6adb81821e90_story.html?wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1

<<snip>>

“He remains the leader of the party, period, and the party is even more with him than ever,” said Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

During his questioning of acting director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire at Thursday’s House Intelligence Committee hearing, ranking Republican Devin Nunes (Calif.) badgered Democrats over what he termed an “information warfare operation against the president.”

<<snip>>

Still, most GOP lawmakers unwilling to parrot the president’s lines Thursday simply strove to stay silent. In the halls of the Capitol, “haven’t read the report” was a common refrain. That was the answer to reporters’ questions about the whistleblower complaint from at least five Republican senators: Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Joni Ernst (Iowa), Rob Portman (Ohio), Tim Scott (S.C.) and Thom Tillis (N.C.).

“If you do want to talk about ethanol, I am happy to talk about ethanol,” Ernst offered.

When Sen. Ted Cruz was asked whether he was ready to be on the “front lines” to defend Trump, the Texas Republican deflected the question and said flatly that he was working for “the people of Texas.”

After making critical comments of Trump’s conduct with Zelensky earlier in the week, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) told reporters Thursday, “Nothing to add.”

<<snip>>

[smb]

1. I'm Sure That Making Excuses For Dolt45...

...makes his minions think longingly about ethanol.

[BlueMTexpat]

2. Good point!

[Wounded Bear]

7. Yeah...

[DURHAM D]

3. What about ethanol? nt

[SharonClark]

4. Thanks to Trump - it's not good news. From Agweb.com...

W2 Fuel, a southeast Iowa biodiesel plant, has shut down in response to the unclear future for the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). The Crawfordsville, Iowa plant produced 10 million gallons of biodiesel annually.

The shutdown will put 50 people out of work, according to the Des Moines Register. In addition to the Iowa plant’s shutdown, the owners will also close the doors of a plant in Michigan.

“I could tread water for a little while, but I came to a point where I was underwater. I couldn’t make a profit at all. I was bleeding cash,” said Roy Strom, CEO of W2 Fuel to reporters at the Des Moines Register.

This is the third plant in Iowa alone to announce it will shut down following small refinery exemptions (SRE) to RFS. Similar announcements have been made in other states.

Earlier this month, Siouxland Energy Cooperative in Sioux Center, Iowa announced it would idle production over SREs.

“The administration’s actions unfairly benefit the oil industry at the expense of our local farmers and if not addressed soon, will impact the livelihoods of many,” said Kevin Neiuwenhuis, president of the board for the plant in a recent press release.

In early August the Trump administration granted 31 additional SRE waivers. Six additional waiver requests were either withdrawn or denied.

“The vast majority of these exemptions are not justified under the law,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw in a press release. “Since this news began to leak this afternoon, RFS credit prices have freefallen to nearly zero, destroying much of the incentive to blend an incremental gallon of ethanol.”

[DURHAM D]

8. It would actually be better for her to talk about impeachment than

ethanol plants. There is no going back and the plants are closing.

[rurallib]

5. The Trump admin has allowed many refiners to no longer put ethanol in their gas

further royally screwing his loyal base of midwest corn farmers.
Being Trump's buddy may be more dangerous than being his enemy.

[DURHAM D]

6. Yes. Ethanol and biofuel plants are closing down

everywhere. We will be seeing rising unemployment rates in rural America as there are no other jobs in many parts of the country. So what I don't understand is why Jodi wants to talk about ethanol given that Trump caused the problem.

[rurallib]

9. This is one of the few issues where Ernst can pretend to be independent

and make a show of "standing up" to Trump while going to bat for farmers.
It is bullshit and all for show, but I guess it plays well back home.

I seldom watch the local news so I really can't make an assessment on that.

[gibraltar72]

10. Or nut cuttin.