By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, is part of a broad coalition of current and former lawmakers and agriculture officials who are advising Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump on farming issues.
“We have to ensure the presidential candidates on both sides understand how important ag is and I’m proud to join some of the leaders in policy making and also some of the leaders in agriculture as part of this advisory board,” Davis said while en route to Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday.
Davis says he would like to see more talk about expanding trade. Both Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Davis said TPP will need major changes if it stands any chance of passing.
“The Trans-Pacific Partnership is not going to pass as is,” Davis said. “The Obama administration can’t even get Democrats to vote for a trade lead let alone the TPP.”
The committee is made up of 64 men and women, including three congressmen and five Midwestern governors.
Davis acknowledged he would like to see greater focus on the issues in the presidential campaign.
“I hope (Trump) gets some thicker skin and stops responding to criticism on a daily basis that any political candidate for any office is going to get,” Davis noted. “I hope this proves that he’s willing to have a campaign advisory board put together to deal with the policy issues that are going to come before him or anyone who is running for this office.
Davis serves on the House Agriculture Committee and chairs the Bio Tech Subcommittee.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
