Sioux City Times

U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) has joined a letter led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) urging U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to add phosphate to the Department of the Interior’s Draft 2025 Critical Minerals List.

Feenstra had previously supported a similar request for potash, which was accepted and added to the list.

“Phosphate, like potash, is a crucial input for Iowa farmers and producers, helping to increase yields, strengthen crop resistance to disease, and retain nutrients in farm ground. However, with China controlling 40% of global phosphate production and other nations leveraging export controls to limit U.S. phosphate purchases, it’s important that we take steps to lower input costs and ensure that agriculture has access to affordable phosphate,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I joined Senator Ernst and other colleagues in requesting that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum add phosphate to the 2025 Critical Minerals List just as he graciously did after we asked that potash be included. Phosphate’s addition to the Critical Minerals List will help us increase domestic production and protect Iowa farmers from outsized dependence on foreign nations for phosphate.”

Feenstra has also worked with other Iowa lawmakers on legislative efforts addressing rising fertilizer costs linked to competition and production trends.

Randy Feenstra represents Iowa’s 4th district in Congress, having taken office in 2021 after serving in the Iowa Senate from 2009 until his election to Congress. He was born in Hull, Iowa in 1969 and graduated from Dordt University with a bachelor’s degree in 1991.

The full letter referenced by Feenstra is available online.