As Ag Secretary Rollins arrives in Iowa, a look at what Iowans got from Nunn’s last three photo ops with Trump officials: a lost biofuel market, higher gas prices, and $2.1 billion gone from Iowa agriculture

DES MOINES, IA — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is in Iowa today, one day after the Trump administration handed the oil industry a decision that cuts the legs out from under Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel plants. Congressman Zach Nunn has made a habit of standing next to Trump administration officials when they come to Iowa; Iowans should look at what those visits have actually cost them.

Agriculture: the biofuel market Nunn took credit for is being erased

On Monday, the EPA exempted 1.76 billion renewable fuel credits, nearly double what the agency itself had estimated. Eighteen refineries were let off the hook completely, including refineries owned by Marathon Petroleum and Chevron.

Iowa’s Republican Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, called the decision “unfortunate and unjustified.” The Iowa Biodiesel Board’s Grant Kimberley said it was setting historic blending targets “with one hand” and erasing them “with the other.” The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says nearly a billion gallons of renewable fuel demand now hangs in the balance. 

Nunn stood at the White House last March to take credit for those blending targets. He toured Iowa farms with Secretary Rollins [Nunn House press release, 3/31/25]. Now the targets are being erased, and Iowa farmers are being hung out to dry. 

Gas prices: Hegseth at the fair, higher prices at the pump

On August 18, Nunn hosted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Iowa State Fairgrounds for a campaign fundraiser while the war in Iran continues with no end in sight.

That war has increased the cost of gas in Iowa more than any other state according to AAA, and made key inputs for farmers like fertilizer and diesel more expensive. Nunn has voted five times to continue the war despite its deep unpopularity and mounting costs in Iowa.

Tariffs: Bessent in Iowa, and a $2.1 billion hole in Iowa agriculture

In the days before the fair, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared with Nunn as well. Bessent is the administration’s chief defender of the tariff policy that is wrecking Iowa’s economy.

The Des Moines Register reported on a new study released this week that found Iowa took the hardest hit of any of the six Midwest states examined:

• Iowa agriculture lost an estimated $2.1 billion, the largest reduction in agricultural GDP growth in the region
• Iowa households are paying about $600 more a year
• 2,700 Iowa manufacturing workers have lost their jobs, including nearly 600 at Whirlpool
• Iowa small businesses that import paid an average of $197,000 more

Zach Nunn voted eight times to support these tariffs. He has called them “winning.”

Statement from Sarah Trone Garriott:

“Zach Nunn always makes time for Trump and his cabinet, but he’s never once shown up for a town hall with voters in our community. If he did, he would know that his policies are hurting Iowans and making our lives more expensive. That’s the choice this November: a Congressman who shows up for Washington insiders, or one who shows up for Iowans.”

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