Reynolds Talks DACA and Ag Secretary

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she agrees with President Donald Trump’s decision to phase out a program that protects young immigrants from deportation because she believes Congress should address the issue. The Republican governor told reporters Tuesday it’s Congress’ job to pass immigration law. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program has aided nearly 800,000 immigrants. On Tuesday, dozens of DACA supporters gathered at the downtown Des Moines federal building.

Governor Reynolds is giving no hints about who she may choose as a replacement for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

We have a lot of people under consideration,” Reynolds told reporters Tuesday during her weekly news conference. “…When the time is appropriate, we’ll make that decision.”

President Trump has nominated Northey to be an undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but Northey will not resign from his state post until he’s confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the federal job. A few state legislators who are farmers are among those rumored to be under consideration for the post, including State Representative Pat Grassley, the grandson of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley.