U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar addressed participants of the U.S. Global Trade Exchange in Minneapolis, just a few miles from her hometown of Plymouth, Minnesota, on September 11.
Senator Klobuchar, a member of the Senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, paraphrased Minnesota poet laureate Garrison Keillor, quipping, “The women are strong, the men are good looking and all the soybean growers are above average.”
She continued, “We are very proud of our soybean industry, and not just the growers, but also all the companies that work in this industry and what we make and the fuels that we produce and the food that we produce and the exports that we produce.”

“We’re a country that makes things, that produces things, that exports to the world, that invents and really goes back to the bread and butter of what makes our economy great,” Senator Klobuchar stated.
She spoke about how the U.S. government can come together in a bipartisan way to govern by opportunity, specifically mentioning the work force, immigration reform, and policies that promote pertinent topics such as soybeans, agriculture, and ag equipment.
Senator Klobuchar also discussed the importance of her service on the Presidential Export Promotion Council, which deals with lifting the embargo on Cuba.
She cited the importance of foreign policy dealing with biotech and agriculture issues, especially prioritizing energy such as biodiesel and ethanol. Biofuels now make up 10 percent of the U.S. energy supply.
Infrastructure was another key topic. Senator Klobuchar said that a bill that is “the best opportunity to get increased funding in our infrastructure” is being introduced and negotiated between political parties. The bill has already passed through the Senate and is waiting for House approval.