Bipartisan US senators want investigation into farm equipment companies moving jobs to Mexico. By: jacob fischler - march 26, 2026 6:00 pm. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, asked the Commerce Department to investigate major agricultural machinery manufacturers. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA) A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators from the Midwest on Thursday asked the Commerce Department to investigate major agricultural machinery manufacturers, saying they paid shareholders handsomely while offshoring jobs. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to open an investigation under a law that allows tariffs to be used for national security purposes. John Deere, Caterpillar and the Wisconsin-based Case New Holland had all laid off U.S. workers in recent years while moving manufacturing jobs to Mexico. The moves hollowed out Midwest industrial towns but made the companies enormous profits, Baldwin and Moreno wrote. "These companies should not be allowed to eliminate American jobs, pay Mexican workers poverty wages, and then ship products back to the U.S. for additional profit on the backs of our communities," they wrote. "They argue that offshoring is necessary to remain competitive, but when it comes time to pay executives or shareholders, they are never short of money." The companies have all delivered generous payments to shareholders in recent years, the senators said. John Deere has paid $8.4 billion, CNH has paid $1.7 billion and Caterpillar has paid $18.2 billion through dividends and stock buybacks, they wrote. But payouts for investors came at the expense of their blue-collar workforce, Baldwin and Moreno wrote. CNH laid off 220 workers from its Racine, Wisconsin, facility in 2024 and moved production to Mexico. All of the roughly 200 CNH workers in a Burlington, Iowa, facility are set to lose their jobs after the company announced in January it would close the plant. And John Deere laid off more than 3,600 union employees after moving production from Iowa to Mexico, the senators said. Representatives for the companies did not immediately return messages seeking comment Thursday. Section 232. The lawmakers asked Lutnick to open an investigation that could result in so-called Section 232 tariffs to deter the companies from moving production to Mexico. "These companies and their executives should not be rewarded for destroying American jobs or permitted to import their products without facing a penalty," they wrote. The tariffs, named for the section of the 1962 law that created them, permits the administration to levy tariffs for national security purposes. Though created in 1962, no administration used them until President Donald Trump's first term, when he imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. The administration now "has a unique opportunity," the senators said, to prevent heavy equipment manufacturers from moving more jobs out of the country. However, they added that any Section 232 investigation would be limited by a free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico that Trump approved in his first term. They called for the administration to "address... issues" created by the agreement, known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. The agreement "has incentivized major heavy equipment manufacturers to locate production in Mexico," they wrote. "Any efforts that the Administration takes solely on Section 232 will be weakened by the shortcomings that currently exist in USMCA." Spokespeople for the Commerce Department and White House did not immediately return messages seeking comment. MAGA appeal. The senators' letter appeals to key parts of Trump's political coalition. Throughout his decade in politics, he has focused messaging on protecting farming and reviving domestic manufacturing industries. In both his victorious presidential elections, the Republican won unusually large slices of union workers in swing states with legacy manufacturing industries while running up a major advantage with rural voters. Trump has aggressively - and controversially - employed tariffs to encourage domestic production. He is scheduled to host nearly 1,000 farmers at the White House on Friday. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

Community celebrates record campaign. GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA (March 6, 2026) Stories of hope and impact underscored the power of belief as the Heartland United Way held its 2026 Campaign Celebration and Annual Meeting on Thursday. "Tonja and I have always believed in the causes of the partner agencies so it was easy to believe that this could be the theme this year," said 2025/2026 Campaign Chair and Heartland United Way Board Chair Kent Brown. Kent and Tonja Brown led a record-setting campaign, raising $1,811,666 for the Heartland United Way and its 20 community partners. Speaker Nate Smith said his appreciation for the United Way goes beyond funding for YMCA programs like Operation Splash and Everyone Plays, Everyone Wins. "Human to human. Heart to heart. That human connection, deeper than just their pockets. They change lives," said the YMCA Sports director. "We just need people to show up." Smith said he remembers the people who believed in him. "I grew up in the YMCA. The YMCA was my life. It saved my life in so many difference incidents," he said. Speaker Amanda Burton also stressed the importance of showing up for its neighbors. "I understand what it feels like to be a child in a world that's uncertain, when the adults around them don't understand and are overwhelmed, when the stability in their life feels fragile. I also understand the incredible impact that just one consistent adult can make in a child's life. That is exactly what CASA provides," said Heartland CASA's senior volunteer coordinator. That work is supported by those who share a belief in the Heartland United Way mission: improving lives and creating possibilities for individuals and families across Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties. Local4 was named Heartland United Way's 2026 Outstanding Community Champion for their work highlighting the needs and generosity of its communities through their coverage. "Being able to highlight initiatives like 25 Keys of Christmas, now 25 Bells, and the Go Big GIVE campaign have never felt like work. It's been a privilege. These efforts showcase the generosity, compassion and heart of this community and we are grateful for the chance to help and share those stories," said Alissa Harrington, Local4 News. Case New Holland received the 2026 Outstanding Business Leadership Award for their exceptional philanthropic leadership, generosity, and commitment to strengthening its community through both fundraising and volunteering. "It's really important to us because it shows how much we value our people," said Brandon Hotovy, CNH. "Our people are really the reason why we at CNH are successful as what we are, so by donating to the Heartland United Way, supporting the Heartland United Way and the partner agencies we're giving back to our employees, not just them, but their families and their neighbors. By supporting these teams we can build a strong foundation for our community." The Heartland United Way's Community Legacy Award recipients have been an integral part of building stronger communities. Tom and Kim Dinsdale donated a vehicle every year for more than 20 years for the United Way's 25 Keys of Christmas giveaway, inspiring potentially millions of dollars in donations. For this, and the many other ways the Dinsdales have shown up for the United Way and beyond, Heartland United Way President Karen Rathke said Tom and Kim embody the spirit of this award. "Thank you Tom and Kim for everything you've done for the United Way, but for so many organizations in the community; and I hope you know the impact that you've had and the lives that you've touched and the people you've inspired to do more, be better and make a difference," said Heartland United Way President Karen Rathke. The Heartland United Way would like to thank all who made this a successful event, including Equitable Bank for sponsoring the dessert, Megan Pattison for their beautiful gift of music, Lily Rose Fresh Cut Flowers for the centerpieces, CopyCat Printing and Signs for designing and printing its Annual Report, Riverside Golf Club for their wonderful food and hospitality, Roses for You for the linens, its table sponsors and Awards Plus, Dramco Tool, and Todd Jacobson for the awards. Award Recipients - Milestone Campaign- Chief Industries - Outstanding Campaign- FNBO - Outstanding Campaign Coordinator - Kristy Thies (Pinnacle Bank) - New Workplace Campaign - Edward Jones - Outstanding Community Champion - Local 4 and Alissa Harrington - Outstanding Business Leadership - CNH - Community Legacy Award - Tom and Kim Dinsdale New Officers - Board Chair - Angela Simdorn - 1st Vice Chair - Chief Kevin Denney - 2nd Vice Chair - Brandon Hotovy - Treasurer & Ethics Officer - AJ Fruchtl Elected Board Members - Sarah Cover - Kelly Enck - Hannah Fair - Brent Frerichs - Keely Huebner Retiring Board Members - Neil Wardyn - Juliet Wright