As the on-again, off-again war against Iran continues, Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt says the ultimate goal of the conflict continues as well.
The war with Iran is now into its 6th month, and the key shipping point — the Strait of Hormuz — remains mostly closed, affecting much of the world’s supply for oil and agricultural items like fertilizers. On Saturday, President Donald Trump said he would halt plans for new military strikes against Iran as part of what he calls “perimeters of a deal,” although potential terms are pending. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now urging “de-escalation and diplomacy,” according to that country’s state-run news.
Another key political conversation underway last week happened in the Senate, not the House — but Schmidt says the ongoing fallout over COVID-19 policy remains a concern, especially the role of former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr Anthony Fauci. Schmidt says there was too much reliance on a limited number of experts during COVID, Fauci included.
Fauci declined to answer questions from a Republican-led Senate committee last week despite being subpoenaed for testimony. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has accused Fauci of lying about different aspects of the pandemic, a statement Fauci has called “preposterous.”
Of utmost importance to ag producers nationwide is an update to the Farm Bill, which Kansas lawmakers, Schmidt included, have said is well overdue. Schmidt says the process has been slow but continues to move forward.
Schmidt says adjustments to reference prices, crop insurance policy and other key parts of ag policy happened last year.
