Republican Senator Joni Ernst says expanding the biofuels industry is a national security issue. “It’s not only important for the United States — Clean energy! — But it sure is a great way to push back against Vladimir Putin,” Ernst said.

Ernst was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 & has lobbied the Obama, Trump & Biden administrations on policies to expand ethanol production. That includes refusing to issue waivers so oil refineries don’t have to blend ethanol into gasoline & allowing fuel blended with 15% ethanol — E-15 — to be sold year-round all around the country. Anti-smog rules have prevented E-15’s sale in most areas during summer months. Ernst says Biden’s trip to Menlo was a surprise. “With everything that is going on, I just did not anticipate that he would be traveling right now. His approval levels are very low, but at the same time, you know, he needs to be out engaging with the public. We’ve got high inflation. We’ve got high gas costs… He need to get out & he needs to explain his position,” Ernst said. “He needs to engage with constituents — & maybe that would help.”

Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Chuck Grassley, says promoting biofuels & allowing summer sales of E-15 is far better than pursing expanded crude oil production from Middle East countries & Venezuela. The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party has said he’s thrilled Iowans can hear directly from Biden about the agenda Democrats are pursing to lower costs for working families. This is Biden’s first trip to Iowa as President. Biden was last here 4 days before the 2020 General Election, for a drive-in rally on the Iowa State Fairgrounds.