December 3, 2019 • Page 6 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com We Need To Bring The USMCA Up For A Vote By Rep. Dusty Johnson Eight days. That’s how many working days the U.S. House of Representatives has left this year to pass major legislation. Eight days to pass a budget and eight days to finalize the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). For context, President Trump finalized the USMCA trade agreement with our allies on November 30, 2018 – a year ago. Am I surprised it’s taken over a year for Congress to act on a trade agreement that would add $68 billion to our nation’s GDP and more than 176,000 jobs? I hate to admit it, but no. Last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters she’s uncertain the House will take up the USMCA before the end of the year. This is unacceptable. Our producers need the certainty the USMCA will provide, and our negotiators with China need reassurance that Congress is serious about passing new trade deals. The president and the administration did its job – it’s past time the Speaker of the House does hers. We need to bring the USMCA up for a vote now. Our allies are waiting on us. Mexico’s Senate passed the USMCA in June – it took them three weeks to pass the deal. Now Mexico’s leadership has sent a letter urging the Speaker to pass the agreement. Canada stands ready to sign when the United States signals we’ve reached an agreement amongst ourselves. There is strong bipartisan support for the USMCA, and despite the lengthy waiting period, the Speaker and the Democratic Ways and Means Committee Chairman continue to hold up the USMCA in congressional negotiations. We shouldn’t leave our allies hanging. South Dakota exported $924 million worth of manufacturing and agriculture products to Canada and Mexico last year. According to the United States Trade Representative, Canada and Mexico are the first and third largest export markets for Ameri- South Dakota 4-H Donates Thousands Of Shoes For Non-Profit can producers – expanding these markets will only benefit the nation. There’s little disagreement – the USMCA is a far better deal than the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). NAFTA was put in place more than twenty-four years ago. The USMCA will provide the United States, Canada, and Mexico with the 21st century agreement our countries need. This new agreement opens up new markets to dairy, poultry, and eggs – access our dairy producers desperately need. Delaying a vote on the USMCA is purely political. As we head into an election year, more partisan politics are the last thing we need. I came to Washington because there is meaningful work to get done, and I still believe that to be true. Congress should pass the USMCA before the end of the year – I will continue to work to make sure that happens. special,” said Tim Tanner, South Dakota 4-H Program Director. “I couldn’t be more proud of the generosity and care that went into the South Dakota 4-H Soles4Souls Project.” Lincoln County 4-H is being recognized as the county with the most impact for this project, as they collected 571 pairs of shoes. They will receive a plaque in recognition of their hard work and devotion to The largest shoe processing effort occurred at the annual SDSU Extension 4-H Teen Leadership Conference, where over 100 delegates packaged 6,136 pairs of shoes. This experience provided teens with a hands-on civic opportunity. “Community service teaches 4-H members to be better citizens and help give back to the community around them,” explained Kate DeVelder, a Lincoln County 4-H member and State 4-H Leadership Ambassador. “It’s amazing to know MV Shopper 665-5884 MV Shopper By Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) While working as governor and now as your United States Senator, I’ve fought for South Dakota’s corn and corn ethanol producers to make certain they’re getting a fair deal under the Renewable Fuel 1340 Part-Time 1360 Income Opportunity Standard (RFS). For over a decade, the RFS has Part-Time Cook Needed NEW AUTHORS WANTED! Broom Tree Retreat Center Page Publishing will help you provided the statutory near Irene, SD is looking for an self-publish your own book. certainty necessary for outstanding cook to join our FREE author submission kit! the corn industry to grow staff. We offer a competitive Limited offer! Why wait? Call and prosper in the United wage and flexible scheduling. now: 855-623-8796 (MCN) 1330 Professional If you would like to join our States. As a result, corn Employment dedicated staff, please contact ethanol has become a Connie McManus, Kitchen vital component of our Manager, 605-263-1040 email nation’s fuel supply. Many cmcmanus@sfcatholic.org. Learn more about us at consumers now seek www.broom-tree.org. out ethanol blends when they’re at the gas station Great benefits and 1335 Other Employment 1335 Other Employment due to their lower price tag and high octane rating. earning potential. Just this year, the EPA Career opportunities announced that E-15—a available upon type of fuel that is made completion of up of 15 percent ethanol training program. and 85 percent gasoline— Bachelor’s degree can now be sold yearin a business field Earn Up To $600 round. This has helped preferred, but not South Dakota corn farmers Monthly Delivering The and ethanol producers. required. Must be Argus Leader In Yankton The RFS is a program open to relocation. that was created by Add’l $3.00 per hour Congress in 2005. The goal Carriers Compensated Weekly! Ask Us for weekend hours. of the RFS is to increase ur About O Apply in person at: our use of renewable $100 Call Don at fuels and decrease our Signing dependence on foreign oil. Bonus The RFS is administered 3210 Broadway Ave by the Environmental Yankton SD, 57078 Protection Agency (EPA), so it’s the job of the EPA to make sure that 15 billion gallons of ethanol are blended into our nation’s fuel supply annually. The number of gallons required to be blended is based on targets called Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). However, the RFS has been undermined in recent years due to the EPA issuing a high number of exemptions to small refineries which claim that complying with the RVOs would cause them significant economic hardship. In issuing so many exemptions, the demand for corn and corn ethanol has been reduced, thus impacting farmers’ revenue for the year. I have shared my concerns about small refinery exemptions with EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on a number of occasions. Midwest farmers are facing low commodity prices, trade instability and extreme weather—they don’t need further headaches from the federal government. During multiple meetings at the White House with President Trump this month, I’ve reiterated the importance M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Manager Trainee NEED EXTRA HOLIDAY CASH? DELIVER THE ARGUS LEADER! 605-331-2261 ea ecom B aper ewsp N rier! Car MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Book 69 Intermediate Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad Fill the puzzle so that every row, every column, and every section contain the numbers 1-9 withoutRrepeating a number. Sudoku #2 M I S S O U I VA L L E Y Sudoku #1 7 5 2 3 9 8 7 6 9 1 5 2 4 5 7 4 1 2 8 3 7 9 8 8 5 1 Earn more income by becoming Book 69: Answerscontractor an independent and delivering the Yankton Daily Press & #1 Sudoku Dakotan. 4 9 1 5 3 6 8 6 5 1 2 7 3 2 7 4 8 9 9 8 2 3 1 4 7 4 3 9 6 5 5 1 6 2 7 8 6 3 9 8 4 2 2 7 4 6 5 1 1 5 8 7 9 3 3 7 4 5 1 8 7 8 5 5 8 6 2 7 6 5 2 8 1 4 9 3 1 5 7 9 3 8 6 2 4 9 7 319 Walnut St., Yankton, SD • www.yankton.net 2 7 4 Sudoku #3 3 7 5 6 9 8 2 4 1 6 6 5 9 3 © 2008 KrazyDad.com INT BOOK 69 #2 INTERMEDIATE Last Tuesday’s Sudoku Solution #2 Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad 9 2 5 7 1 Sudoku 4 5 1 2 6 #4 7 6 4 8 3 9 9 4 5 3 1 7 1 2 3 6 4 8 6 7 8 9 5 2 5 3 9 1 8 6 4 1 6 7 2 5 2 8 7 4 9 3 4 3 7 8 8 6 2 1 3 8 9 finding the right job is easier than you think 7 5 3 2 Call Steve at 605-665-7811 4 Sudoku #3 of making sure the EPA revises its practices to guarantee that any small refinery exemptions would not reduce the 15 billion gallon requirement for conventional ethanol. The agreement, as originally directed by President Trump, would require the EPA to, prospectively, account for small refinery exemptions by utilizing a three-year rolling average of exemptions granted by the EPA. However, the supplemental proposed rule released by the EPA this fall does not achieve the 15 billion gallon requirement. I have been in contact with the EPA to urge them to change their final rule. The president has told me that he is committed to making sure the EPA follows through on its obligation to blend 15 billion gallons of ethanol into the fuel supply. I’m grateful for the president’s leadership on this issue and it’s time for the EPA to uphold the president’s commitment to corn and ethanol producers. The RFS is an important program for ag states like ours. Using more corn ethanol is a win for our farmers and a win for our planet, since they have a smaller carbon footprint than fossil fuels. I’ll continue monitoring the EPA and speaking with President Trump to make sure the integrity of the RFS is upheld. 1 4 © 2008 KrazyDad.com 1 5 2 4 2 9 4 1 that something one organization did in one state can impact the whole world.” South Dakota 4-H hosts a statewide community service project annually. Contact your local 4-H office to get involved with future 4-H community service projects. About South Dakota 4-H: SDSU Extension's 4-H Youth Development Program is a partnership of federal (USDA), state land-grant university and county resources through youth outreach activities. Youth learn about and experience leadership, health and wellness, science and agriculture through a network of professional staff and volunteers reaching more than 9,000 enrolled members with yearly programming efforts extended to an additional 35,000 youth participants. Upholding The Renewable Fuel Standard In Print and Online! M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y BROOKINGS, S.D. The South Dakota 4-H Youth Development Program donated 8,413 pairs of shoes over the span of one year during their statewide community service project to the Soles4Souls non-profit organization. The collected shoes will go to youth and families in need and help community members in developing countries create a micro-enterprise. Consequently, these micro-enterprises will assist in generating a stable economy. 4-H enthusiasts across the state assisted in this process by donating new or gently used shoes at their local 4-H and SDSU Extension offices. Collected shoes were packaged, counted and shipped to Soles4Souls for distribution. “Strengthening entrepreneurial access in the global community while seeing our youth build leadership and empathy skills really made this project 6 9 su do ku 7 2 © 2008 KrazyDad.com Check next Tuesday’s paper for 3 4 9 the solution to today’s puzzle. 5 2 7 EA BOOK 69 #2 1 6 5 1 2 6 2 8 9 5 7 3 4 1 2 7 4 8 9 3 1 6 5 Sudoku #4 4 3 2 5 9 1 7 6 8 when you’ve got the right direction Stop searching. The Help Wanted section of the Missouri Valley Shopper lists many possible new job opportunities. Find a career that’s right for you. MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y