U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley brought his annual Iowa 99-county tour to Nutra Tech in Storm Lake yesterday morning, fielding a variety of questions on topics ranging from agriculture to energy to immigration.
During a question-and-answer session with local media following the event, Grassley addressed fears among Storm Lake’s immigrant workforce following recent ICE activity in the region.
Grassley said he would suggest to President Donald Trump to first go after immigrants with a criminal element, followed by those on terrorist watch lists, then the people who he said former President Joe Biden opened up the border to. He offered some support for longtime undocumented residents.
Grassley also zeroed in on California’s Proposition 12, which restricts pork sales from states like Iowa unless producers meet expanded animal welfare standards. He warned the measure could devastate Midwest agriculture.
He called for Congress to override the law through the Farm Bill, citing its impact on interstate commerce and consumer prices.
On renewable energy, Grassley defended Iowa’s leadership in wind and solar, despite federal regulations he says could slow progress.
This marks Grassley’s 45th straight year holding question-and-answer sessions in each of Iowa’s 99 counties. He also visited Sac County yesterday, fielding questions at Lundell Plastics in Odebolt.
