Watch CBS News

Pat Toomey Credits Ted Cruz For Winning Iowa, Opposing Ethanol Subsidies

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey spoke out on the Republican race for the nomination for President following the Iowa Caucuses and heading into next week's New Hampshire Primary.

Toomey, during an interview with Dom Giordano on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, praised Texas Senator Ted Cruz for talking a bold stand against ethanol subsidies and still managing to win the most of votes.

"Since the dawn of the ethanol subsidies, I'm not sure that there's ever been a candidate whose won the Iowa Caucus after coming out in favor of ending it. That's to Ted Cruz's credit and mostly to the credit to the voters of Iowa."

He also voiced fierce opposition to the subsidies that are very popular in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

"I just find corporate welfare very, very offensive. I don't think taxpayers should be required to subsidize any particular industry just because they are politically well connected. Ethanol is a glaring example. This stuff is bad for the environment. It costs more than gasoline. It does harm to our engines and it drives up our food prices."

When assessing the election as a whole, Toomey believes national security and crime will be the main issues voters take with them to the polls.

"I think the number one concern people have is security. It's national security. It's their personal security. When we see these terrorists in San Bernardino, when we see this guy shoot officer Jesse Hartnett in the streets of Philadelphia and pledging his allegiance to ISIS, and then honestly, I think there's a backdrop that's relevant to people. This whole outrageous narrative attacking law enforcement and pushing back on law enforcement generally, that makes people like maybe I'm not as secure as I ought to be."

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.