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Ag leader says lobby ban will hinder Trump administration

A national Ag leader says the Trump administration’s plan to ban lobbyists from working in the new administration will present a challenge. Chris Novak, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, tells Brownfield that lobbyists know how Washington DC works to get legislation passed.

“It’s simply a loss of of talent and expertise that will, I think, not lead us to having the best opportunity for this administration to succeed,” says Novak.

With just slight majorities the Republicans will have in the new Congress, Novak says Trump will need to have people who understand how to build coalitions to pass legislation.

“The Republicans have a 58 to 42 majority in the Senate, but with the filibuster laws sometimes it takes 60 Senators to get things done. Which means that President-Elect Trump is going to need to work with the Democrats. There’s going to need to be negotiations and compromise,” says Novak.

Lawmakers have already begun working on the next Farm Bill. Novak spoke with Brownfield at the Ohio Grain Farmers Symposium at Ohio State University.

Audio: Chris Novak, CEO, National Corn Growers Association