Farm Bill Gets Some E15 in the Tank

Farm bill season is back, because apparently Congress missed the smell of stale coffee, amendments and everyone pretending September deadlines are surprising.

The vote: The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its latest farm bill package on a 12-11 party-line vote, sending the legislation to the full Senate while farmers keep waiting for policy certainty that does not require a decoder ring. The next stop could bring more floor fights, because this is Washington and nothing says “working together” like arguing over the tractor keys.

Fuel in the fine print: The draft includes year-round sales of E15, giving retailers, biofuel backers and corn growers a long-sought path around seasonal restrictions. John Thune, Senate Majority Leader, has been pushing the provision as a rural and ethanol priority, while John Boozman, Senate Agriculture Committee chairman, is trying to move the package toward a Senate-House conference.

The wrinkle: The bill still drags along the usual farm bill baggage: commodity supports, conservation dollars, crop insurance, nutrition fights and enough process drama to make a county fair board look nimble. The current law expires at the end of September, though some funding lasts longer.

Why it matters: E15 gives corn growers and biofuel plants a tangible win inside a larger bill that still has a long row to hoe. Farmers want certainty. Washington has provided a committee vote and another chance to practice patience.