Senate Draft Aims for Year-Round E15

WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Year-round E15 language is expected to be included in the Senate farm bill draft ahead of next week's markup, as lawmakers work toward a compromise between the House-passed provision and a Senate proposal known as the Fischer-Capito bill.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman said Thursday the draft is expected to be released Friday or Saturday ahead of a committee markup scheduled for Aug. 6.

The date -- the final day before Congress leaves for its August recess -- has not been formally announced, but Boozman told reporters on Tuesday of his intention.

After the markup bill text is released, senators usually have several days to prepare and file amendments before the markup.

One source familiar with the process told DTN the legislative text had originally been expected Thursday, but an industry briefing scheduled for earlier in the day was canceled Thursday morning.

E15 LANGUAGE EXPECTED

Three agriculture and ethanol industry lobbyists told DTN the draft includes year-round E15 language designed as a compromise between the House-passed provision and legislation backed by Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., has been a leading negotiator with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., representing small refining interests in their states.

Still, small refiners who spoke with DTN said the language they expect will not resemble the Fischer-Capito proposal that was negotiated by Daines.

Year-round E15 has broad bipartisan support, but the monthslong debate has centered on whether small refineries should have a broader pathway to obtain Renewable Fuel Standard exemptions.

Daines confirmed his role but would not describe what the agreement would look like; a source familiar with the negotiations said small refiners were given an opportunity to provide input during the past week.

Asked whether small refiners would support the compromise, Boozman replied, "They'll be happy."

That in turn will encourage oil-state republican to then vote in favor of a E15 provision.

The refining industry has pointed to the Fuel STAR Act of 2026, introduced by Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, as a possible compromise. The bill would allow year-round E15 sales while creating a broader pathway for small refinery exemptions and reforming RFS compliance rules.

See: "E15 Backers Weigh Deal, Senate Clock," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Boozman also confirmed Senate leaders intend to use the House's supplemental farm assistance proposal.

"No, we're going to use the House number. That's my understanding," he said. That figure totals $12 billion, despite Boozman and Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., saying last week they hoped to secure additional funding.

SNAP NEGOTIATIONS REMAIN UNRESOLVED

Little progress appears to have been made on negotiations about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which could affect Democratic votes on final passage or amendments during the markup process.

Asked whether lawmakers had reached an agreement, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., replied, "No ... well, we got it figured out to cut it (SNAP). Now we got to see (if) we'll make any adjustments."

Boozman added, "We're working hard to get all that figured out. We've got a really good bill."

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act requires states with SNAP payment error rates above 6% to begin paying between 5% and 15% of benefit costs beginning in October 2027. Previously, the federal government covered the full cost of SNAP benefits.

For much of the month, lawmakers have been trying to find a path forward while pointing fingers across the aisle over who must find a solution. According to Congressional Budget Office estimates shared by the Senate Agriculture Committee, delaying the provision could require between roughly $6 billion and $12.5 billion for one- and two-year delays.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., suggested broader negotiations remain difficult.

"When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers," was the proverb he offered when asked whether a solution between the parties had been found.

"The people all over Georgia, Alabama are suffering while politics are playing games. I'm ready to pass it. Sadly, the closer we get to an election around here, it's hard to get things done. I will work. It's the only way you get anything done. You can't get a partisan farm bill," Warnock said.

Neither Republicans nor Democrats have publicly indicated a breakthrough on SNAP negotiations.

Warnock's comments point to the next stage of the process. Even if the Senate Agriculture Committee approves its bill next week, the House and Senate would still need to reconcile their legislation, with little time before November's midterm elections.

MARKUP CAN PROCEED WITHOUT MCCONNELL

The committee is still expected to proceed with the markup despite Sen. Mitch McConnell's absence, though the markup date has not been formally announced.

McConnell can vote by proxy in committee, although he cannot participate directly in amendment debates while absent. Proxy votes can be used on amendments, but they cannot be used as the deciding votes to report a measure out of committee.

Large managers' packages are common during farm bill markups. These packages often include provisions lawmakers have sought to add during negotiations or in the House version.

During consideration of the 2018 farm bill, the Senate adopted a managers' package containing 66 amendments by voice vote, along with several standalone amendments.

Similarly, when the House considered and passed its farm bill, most amendments were approved by voice vote, including 45 amendments passed by voice vote, with 24 included as part of an en bloc amendment, according to a Congressional Research Service report.

To see more: Congressional Research Service: The 2026 Farm Bill, Comparison with Current Law, https://www.congress.gov/…

Jake Zajkowski can be reached at jake.zajkowski@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @jzajkow

(c) Copyright 2026 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.