WASHINGTON – Senate Agriculture Committee Member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer, joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers in a letter urging Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to reinstate potash and add phosphate – both critical fertilizer ingredients – to the U.S. Critical Minerals List.

The designation will support domestic production and strengthen supply chains, important steps to protecting food security and stabilizing the market for farmers. The lawmakers state that doing so will send a powerful message that the United States is serious about safeguarding the nation’s food supply.

“The importance of potash to the nation’s economic and national security was recognized in 2018 when DOI included potash on its list of 35 critical minerals. However, under the previous administration, the 2022 update removed potash from the list—a decision that clearly warrants reconsideration. We appreciate President Trump’s support for reversing this in his March 20, 2025, executive order,” the members wrote.

The U.S. depends on imports for approximately 85 percent of its potash needs, primarily sourcing it from Canada. Worldwide, only 14 countries produce potash, with Belarus and Russia accounting for nearly 40 percent of total production. The members emphasized that the United States must address the growing risks to the potash supply chain, including a return to domestic potash production as quickly as possible.

“At the very heart of this issue are the American farmers who work tirelessly to feed Americans and much of the world. Fertilizers containing potash and phosphate are essential to maintaining soil fertility, improving crop yields, and ensuring consistent food production. Without access to a stable and affordable supply of these minerals, farmers face higher costs, reduced yields, and increased uncertainty—challenges that threaten their livelihoods and the food security of millions of American families,” the members wrote.

"Potash and phosphate are essential to growing the food that sustains our nation, and we rely heavily on imports to get them. Global disruptions put farmers in a tough spot, driving up costs and hurting farm profitability,” said Iowa Soybean Association President Brent Swart. “Adding these minerals to the Critical Minerals List helps secure a stable, domestic supply, protecting both our farms and the wallets of everyday consumers." 

“Fertilizers, specifically potash and phosphate, are crucial tools in the toolbox that Iowa corn farmers rely on as they supply food, feed, fiber, and fuel globally,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association President and farmer from Galt, Iowa, Stu Swanson. “ICGA supports the relisting of potash and the inclusion of phosphate on the U.S. Critical Minerals List. We thank Senator Ernst for her ongoing advocacy for Iowa agriculture.”

In the Senate, additional cosigners include Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.), along with Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.),  Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).

In the House, the letter is led by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.). Additional cosigners include Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Penn.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Sharice L. Davids (D-Kan.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), Nicholas A. Langworthy (R-N.Y.), John R. Moolenaar (R-Mich.), Eric "Rick" Crawford (R-Ark.), Michael Simpson (R-Idaho), David G. Valadao (R-Calif.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Mike Bost (R-Ill.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Tracey Mann (R-Kan.), Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), Donald Davis (D-N.C.), Gregory F. Murphy (R-N.C.) and Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.).

Full text of the letter can be found HERE.

Background:

Grassley has long advocated for family farmers in Iowa and across the country. Grassley and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) introduced the Fertilizer Research Act to shed light on market factors driving the cost of fertilizer by requiring the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study on competition and trends in the fertilizer market to determine their subsequent impacts on price.

Grassley also pressed Attorney General Garland to investigate anti-competitive activity and market manipulation in the fertilizer industry and urged President Trump to exclude potash under any proposed tariff regime.

 

-30-