Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he and colleagues are actively working to pass House-approved year-round E15 legislation and a new farm bill, both of which face a 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
Reminded that House Republicans separated year-round E15 from the farm bill to help secure passage in the House — a move that created additional hurdles in the Senate — Thune said lawmakers are now working through a strategy to move the legislation forward despite the higher vote requirement for standalone bills.
“We’re having a robust discussion about it.” said Thune. “I’m hopeful and confident that, in the end, we’ll be able to succeed and pick up what the House did, figure out how to pair it with the farm bill that they sent over here, and try and get a result for the American people and, more specifically, for the farmers all across this country.”
Thune said many producers are facing severe economic pressure amid the ongoing farm downturn and warned that some operations may not survive without additional support and stronger markets for agricultural commodities.
“So, we want to do what we can to create additional demand for American agricultural products,” said Thune. “Some of that, obviously, is trade-related. I was pleased to hear some of the news that came out of the president’s visit to China last week, but E15 is also a way of creating additional demand for agricultural commodities in this country and creating additional supply when it comes to fuels.”
Thune argued that expanding access to E15 year-round could boost corn demand, strengthen rural economies, and help lower fuel prices for consumers by increasing fuel supply options. However, he also acknowledged concerns from senators representing oil refining states, including John Barrasso, who stood beside Thune during the remarks. Refiners have expressed concerns about regulatory costs and fuel infrastructure compatibility tied to expanded ethanol blending requirements.
The push for year-round E15 has long been a priority for corn growers and ethanol advocates, who argue the higher ethanol blend provides another market for U.S. corn while supporting domestic energy production. The legislation comes as Congress continues negotiations on a broader farm bill package amid declining farm income, high input costs, and uncertainty surrounding export markets.
