{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=7C39861E-AEB6-4B7F-9D7B-4FF68D7B22FA", "Fischer on Senate Floor: Ag Producers Urgently Need Lasting, Long-term Solutions", "2025-10-06", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", "fischer", "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, during a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) addressed the economic crisis facing ag producers in Nebraska and across America, emphasizing that time is running out to produce strong, positive results for farmers and ranchers.\n\nFischer also highlighted that, in addition to assistance for farmers and securing strong trade deals, Congress must work to build new markets through the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. This would be made possible by Fischer\u2019s Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which has strong bipartisan support.\n\nClick the image above to watch a video of Fischer\u2019s remarks.\n\nClick here to download audio\n\nClick here to download video\n\nFollowing is a transcript of Fischer\u2019s remarks as prepared for delivery:\n\nM. President,\n\nFor all ag producers, the word \u201ctariff\u201d makes us nervous. But earlier this year, I took a step back to look at the bigger economic picture. I became one of the first members of Congress to support the administration\u2019s effort to level the playing field on trade.\n\nI\u2019ve said many times that the administration deserves time to secure strong trade deals that benefit Americans. However, the reality is this: farmers are targeted by other countries like China. I\u2019ve seen it firsthand back home in Nebraska.\n\nProducers of corn, soybeans, and other top commodities are under crushing pressure. Rising input costs and uncertainty have driven farm finances to levels reminiscent of the 1980s crisis, which bankrupted thousands and hollowed out rural communities. Since 2020, seed costs have jumped 18%. Fuel and oil are up 32%. Fertilizer has spiked 37%. And interest expenses have surged an alarming 73%.\n\nOur soybean producers are projected to lose about $100 an acre this year. On top of that, storage costs for soybeans and corn have risen steeply. For everyone, this is crippling \u2014 and it\u2019s happening during one of the largest harvests in memory.\n\nM. President, time is running out. We need to turn this around. We need a strong, positive action.\n\nEnsuring our farmers can weather tough economic times must be a national priority. It\u2019s clear farm aid is needed at this time.\n\nCongress has taken some steps toward this goal. We passed $10 billion in farm aid last December and included a major boost for producers in July\u2019s reconciliation law. However, that money won\u2019t reach farmers until next fall. Producers need relief now.\n\nBut here\u2019s the challenge: we also need lasting, long-term solutions that help provide stability and real opportunity for ag producers.\n\nThat\u2019s why one of the fastest ways we can deliver results is by unlocking year-round access to E15 \u2014 a clean, American-made biofuel. Permanent nationwide access would increase corn demand by 2.5 billion bushels a year. It would lower gas prices for families. And it would drive new revenue into rural communities. President Trump\u2019s Day 1 order to promote E15 through his National Energy Emergency Declaration was a strong start, but temporary fixes won\u2019t cut it.\n\nThat\u2019s why I reintroduced my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act earlier this year. When I first introduced this bill nearly a decade ago, it felt like an uphill climb.\n\nToday, momentum is finally on our side. We have strong bipartisan support. We have new industry partners, including members of the oil and refining sector at the table. This is a key piece of Republicans\u2019 plan to lower energy costs, to strengthen American production, and to give consumers more choices at the pump.\n\nTrade is the other half of the equation. Former President Biden\u2019s lack of a clear trade agenda left America with a $49 billion trade deficit, undercutting farmers in Nebraska and across the country. President Trump: you can help reverse that deficit by holding China accountable and ensuring American-grown soybeans have access to global markets \u2014 a lifeline for farmers facing losses this harvest season.\n\nPresident Trump has already made progress on this trade front. Take beef: Australia has sold nearly $29 billion worth of beef to U.S. consumers, while American ranchers have been locked out of their market. Now we need the same kind of breakthrough for soybeans, corn, and every other American crop.\n\nAt the end of the day, farmers and ranchers want programs that work and markets to sell their products.\n\nM. President \u2013 simply put, they just want a fair shot.\n\nBy securing strong trade deals and building new markets through year-round E15, we can revitalize the farm economy, bolster U.S. energy security, and ensure America\u2019s producers can keep feeding and fueling this nation for generations to come.\n\nThank you, M. President. I yield the floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=7C39861E-AEB6-4B7F-9D7B-4FF68D7B22FA"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.477723941206932, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}