Ethanol Blog

The House vote on the E15 bill, with its changes for small refinery exemptions in the Renewable Fuels Standard, came in closer than perhaps some observers had expected at 218-203 on Wednesday.

The vote split both parties with 122 Republicans and 95 Democrats backing the bill, along with one independent. Voting no were 90 Republicans and 113 Democrats.

Oddly, leaders for both parties actually voted against their own majorities. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., voted against it. As did House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. Yet, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, backed the bill.

The bill split the delegations of the country's largest states as well, though they leaned against the measure. Surprisingly, California, the state with the country's most aggressive low-carbon fuel standard and now selling E15 and E85, had just 12 members back the bill and 34 oppose it.

Among Texas lawmakers, the split was 12 yeas and 21 nays.

Florida, New York and Pennsylvania were also split, as were delegations in Alabama, Connecticut, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Overall, the top-ethanol producing states have smaller delegations, but every lawmaker in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota backed the bill. Among other top states for biofuel production, just three lawmakers voted against E15: Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indiana, Rep. Mike Rulli, R-Ohio and Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis.

There were other states where most of the delegation either supported or opposed the bill, but one lawmaker broke from the pack, swinging one way or the other.

Breaking down the House Agriculture Committee, Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., and Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., both supported the bill.

The House Agriculture Committee, however, also had some splits across party lines. Of the 29 Republicans on the committee, seven opposed the bill. Of the 24 Democrats, six voted against it.

House Ag Republicans voting against the bill:

-- Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania

-- Kat Cammack of Florida

-- Rick Crawford of Arkansas

-- Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee

-- Ronny Jackson of Texas

-- Barry Moore of Alabama

-- David Valadao of California

House Ag Democrats voting against the bill:

-- Alma Adams of North Carolina

-- Jim Costa of California

-- Adam Gray of California

-- Jim McGovern of Massachusetts

-- Chellie Pingree of Maine

-- Jill Tokuda of Hawaii

The bill now goes to the Senate where the dynamics could change dramatically. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., backs E15 and commented on it Tuesday during the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on fertilizer.

"We need to get E15 done. That solves a couple of important problems, one of which is demand for corn in this country ... and, secondly increasing the supply of fuel in this country at a time when gas prices are going up," Thune said.

Also see, "After Farm Bill Setback, E15 Passes House as Standalone Legislation," https://www.dtnpf.com/….

Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @ChrisClaytonDTN

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