Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
The recommendations of two Iowa attorneys as the next U.S. Attorneys for Iowa have been formally approved by the White House, and their names have been sent to the U.S. Senate for consideration and possible confirmation.
In March, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) recommended Stephanie Rose to lead the Northern District and Nick Klinefeldt to lead the Southern District. Upon learning that his two recommendations would now begin the formal confirmation process, Harkin said, that both candidates “are superb attorneys who have the character, experiences and expertise to vigorously and fairly enforce the law.”
Both of Iowa’s U.S. Senators — Harkin and Chuck Grassley (R) — will now file paperwork with the Senate Judicial Committee in relation to the two candidates. Once that paperwork is received, the committee will schedule confirmation hearings. If those hearings are successful, the two candidates will then be placed before the entire Senate for final consideration and confirmation.
Despite criticism of his selections, Harkin maintains that the two individuals are the best positioned to lead the U.S. prosecution arm in Iowa.
“Stephanie Rose is extremely qualified to be U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. As a 12-year attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she has demonstrated great intellect and judgment, leadership and strength of character, and commitment to the unique role and responsibilities of a U.S. Attorney,” Harkin said. “Her nomination has historic significance for Iowa given that she would be the first confirmed woman to hold this position for the Northern District.”
If confirmed, Rose will replace Matt Dummermuth, an attorney recommended by Sen. Chuck Grassley and appointed by Pres. George W. Bush in January 2007. Although nominated by the Bush administration in Dec. 2008, Dummermuth never faced Senate confirmation.
Harkin also offered praise for Klinefeldt, calling the 35-year-old “extremely well-qualified” to serve the Southern District.
“As a federal criminal defense attorney practicing in the Southern District of Iowa, he has demonstrated intellect and judgment. He understands, moreover, the unique role and responsibilities of a U.S. Attorney. Nick Klinefeldt has the right combination of experience and integrity to bring effective leadership and justice to the Southern District of Iowa.”
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Klinefeldt will replace Matt Whitaker, who was nominated by Pres. George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in June 2004.
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