Grassley visits Atlas Products in Washington

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley toured Atlas Molded Products Friday afternoon, checking Washington County off his 99-county tour list before returning to D.C.

“I try to go to quite a few businesses on my 99-county tour, to try to go to people that can’t come to me,” he said. “I try to get a cross-section of the population, and this is the best way to meet with people, eyeball to eyeball.”

In a Q&A session after the facility tour, gas prices were among the first subjects on the table. Dale Mullikin, a national account director for Atlas, said high oil prices were impacting the company, which produces an oil-based material called polystyrene.

Grassley said he mostly blamed the White House for the price spike.

“Prior to this president, we were an energy independent nation,” he said. “He gets into office, and he stops pipelines, and drilling on the North Slope of Alaska … on public lands of the United States or offshore. Fracking rules are greater than they have been. You end up with about a $1.20 increase in gas.”

Another person at the event asked about food prices, in light of the Ukraine invasion and newly increased availability of E15 which Grassley had praised. The senator said he was confident U.S. farmers would meet demand.

“If we didn’t have ethanol, instead of raising 5.5 billion bushel of corn last year, we’d be pulling 40% less,” he said. “Agriculture has the capability of accomplishing whatever it takes to feed the world and export a third of it, and not only food but fuel and fiber. We’ve got the capability, the marketplace will take care of it … the farmers are going to take care of it.”

Washington Mayor Jaron Rosien said the community was increasingly focused on railway infrastructure and regulations as it prepares for an expected train merger that will more than triple train traffic through Washington. Grassley said the mayor’s concerns were shared by others, but was not necessarily in Congress’ control.

“We’ve heard that up and down the Mississippi River, we’ve even heard it on the Illinois side,” he said. “Most of these decisions to go ahead with these issues (are) made … by a commission of five within the Department of Transportation.”

On the subject of Abby Finkenauer — Grassley’s potential opponent in November, who was recently unanimously approved to run after questions about her candidacy petition to the state supreme court — Grassley said his campaign made a point of collecting more than enough signatures, but did not oppose the state supreme court’s decision.

“How can you disagree with anything? You accept it,” he said. “That’s what the rule of law is, and I take an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com