VIDEO: Ricketts Working for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work fighting for Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Ricketts highlighted his resolution designating May as Renewable Fuels Month and his support for year-round E15. “Nebraska is a national leader in biofuels production, making 2.2 billion gallons each year. This homegrown energy saves consumers money at the pump. It helps farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans, and it’s good for our environment,” said Ricketts. “Our biofuels are a win for Nebraska and America.”
Ricketts also discussed the MARKET Act, legislation that would require the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to look at new markets for Nebraska ag products. The bill would also require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate threats and trade barriers from foreign adversaries like Communist China.
“The Market Act is important because Communist China has demonstrated time and time again that it is not a reliable trade partner,” said Ricketts. “We need to explore new markets to prevent Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being beholden to Communist China. I look forward to working with my colleagues to support this effort. I’m proud to do my part to support Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, and I will continue to be their voice here in the US Senate.”
Watch the video here.
TRANSCRIPT:
Senator Ricketts: “Before I begin, thank you to all the brave first responders who quickly helped during the storms that hit Nebraska this week.
“Susanne and I are praying for all those who were impacted by those storms.
“When I was governor, we dealt with storms and floods and other disasters.
“Nebraska has always rebuilt together then, and I am confident the same will be true this time around as well.
“With that, let’s go ahead and continue the call.
“Today I introduced a resolution designating May as Renewable Fuels Month.
“Nebraska is a national leader in biofuels production, making 2.2 billion gallons each year.
“This homegrown energy saves consumers money at the pump.
“It helps farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans, and it’s good for our environment.
“Biofuels also contribute to American energy independence.
“The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that US-produced ethanol displaced the need for 640 million barrels of imported oil in 2025.
“This reduces our reliance on foreign countries and bolsters our national security.
“Our biofuels are a win for Nebraska and America.
“Last week we saw Congressman Adrian Smith’s bill allowing for year-round sales of E15 pass the House.
“E15 is a win-win-win for consumers, the environment, and farmers and ranchers.
“It gives Nebraskans more choice at the pump and saves them money.
“Last weekend, when I filled up at Hy-Vee, I saved 55 cents per gallon with E10 compared to regular 87 octane gasoline.
“E15 saves even more money at the pump.
“At our Nebraska breakfast this morning, Congressman Bacon relayed that he saved $1 a gallon by filling up with E15.
“That’s real relief.
“It’s time to make this law.
“Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers also rely on stability and good trading partners to succeed.
“While we are the nation’s fifth largest ag exporter, the vast majority of our exports are to countries in the Indo-Pacific.
“I visited a number of them as governor, leading trade missions with farmers and ranchers.
“In Nebraska, we already know China is an unreliable trade partner, and that’s why, when I was governor, we moved our trade office from China to Germany.
“With the conclusion of Trump’s summit in Beijing, Asian market access looks like it might expand.
“US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that he expects China to buy double-digit billions of US ag products over the next three years.
“That includes at least $17 billion per year of US agricultural products in 2026, 2027, and 2028, in addition to China’s commitment last October to buy at least 25 million metric tons of soybeans for those same years — 2026, 2027, and 2028.
“If fulfilled, this would mean another $9.8 billion in soybeans purchased.
“It could also include relisting some of our beef exporters that China arbitrarily removed, or recommitting to consistent purchases of hides and skins.
“I hope it’s all true.
“The President and the administration should be commended for getting these initial commitments, but we must also remember that China reneged on President Trump’s phase one trade deal once President Biden was in office.
“It will require strong leadership from this administration and future administrations to hold Communist China to its commitments for our ag communities, but we also shouldn’t provide China with outsized leverage.
“We need to continue to export Nebraska and American products around the globe
“To de-risk Nebraskans from Communist China’s markets and unfair trade practices and open the door for more trading partners, I’ve introduced the Market Act this week.
“This legislation would require the US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative to look at other markets, so we can diversify our exports.
“It would also require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate the threats and trade barriers from Communist China.
“The Market Act is important because Communist China has demonstrated time and time again that it is not a reliable trade partner.
“We need to explore new markets to prevent Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being beholden to Communist China.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to support this effort.
“I’m proud to do my part to support Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, and I will continue to be their voice here in the U.S. Senate.
“They are the backbone of our communities.
“Nebraska and the nation depend upon them.“We need them now, and we’re going to need them for generations to come.”