[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 82 (Thursday, May 14, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                                  E15

  Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, folks, we all know energy security is 
national security. Right now, what is left of the brutal Iranian regime 
is holding the world hostage and targeting the flow of oil through the 
Strait of Hormuz. That is unacceptable.
  Instead of Americans paying more at the expense of Iranian 
terrorists, we should be using every tool at our disposal to ensure 
price stability--especially at the gas pump. That is why I have been a 
longtime champion of unleashing domestic energy, including higher 
blends of homegrown ethanol, and giving retailers the choice of 
offering a lower cost, American-made fuel solution.
  Last night, the House, through the leadership of the entire Iowa 
delegation, passed commonsense legislation to unleash year-round E15, 
which will lower prices at the gas station and at the same time provide 
new markets for Iowa farmers.
  Folks, I have heard it over and over again: This is a mandate.
  This is not a mandate. E15 simply gives consumers yet another, more 
affordable choice at the pump. It is about choice. Again, it is not a 
mandate; it is just another choice at the pump.
  We have seen it work. Thanks to President Trump's approval of 
summertime sales of E15, this Memorial Day weekend, Americans are 
estimated to save $110 million just by using E15. That is real savings. 
And with the House's inclusion of my provision to cut redtape, we can 
completely avoid costly fuel infrastructure upgrades and unlock E15 at 
every gas station or truckstop across the country.
  Congress should be using all the tools at our disposal to give every 
family the chance to take part in those savings, deliver certainty and 
stability for consumers, and drive down prices for Americans from coast 
to coast.
  It is no surprise President Trump has long supported this ``America 
First'' policy that improves affordability and keeps our energy supply 
secure. Even dating back to 2016, President Trump championed the option 
for consumers to have access to E15, and earlier this year, in Iowa, he 
called for Congress to pass E15 legislation and deliver it to his desk 
so he could sign it without delay.
  Mr. President, we are on it.
  The House got it done last night, and now it is the Senate's turn.
  Let me emphasize for all who are listening that our large oil 
companies, those truly small oil refineries, our fuel retailers, our ag 
associations, and the biofuel groups have all created and support this 
E15 agreement. That is from large oil companies all the way to the 
farmers--they support the deal that was passed in the House. And I want 
to thank everyone that has come forward to support the House 
legislation.
  There are a few folks out there that don't agree with this deal. 
These are the so-called midsize refineries. Those midsize refiners are 
the ones that are gaming the system and are falsely describing what the 
E15 deal will do.
  Again, large oil companies and those small oil companies--they agree 
with our biofuel producers and support the E15 legislation.
  The midsize refiners that are trying to kill this year-round E15--and 
I will tell you, there are only six midsize refiners. Six. Those six 
midsize fuel refiners that are trying to kill this bill made more--just 
six of these refiners made more in 2026 so far, and will continue this 
trend, than the 3.32 million family farms have made in 2026. Six. Six 
refiners are making more than the 3.32 million American family farms. 
Those are the six refiners--just six--that are trying to kill this bill 
in the U.S. Senate.
  So, again, I want to say thank you so much to those large oil 
companies, the truly small oil refiners, our fuel retailers, our ag 
associations, and our biofuel groups, and mostly to our American 
farmers. I want to say thank you so much for coming together to create 
sensible legislation on E15 year-round that will help every American 
consumer that is fueling at the pump have another choice--not a mandate 
but a choice.
  And I will tell you what--because I use ethanol back home in Iowa, 
when I am fueling my vehicle--that when I pull up to the pump, the 
choice I make is the cheaper alternative that supports our American 
farmers, and that is E15. And I am proud to support it.
  I am encouraging all of our Members here in the U.S. Senate to 
support this really commonsense legislation that has come forward from 
the House. Support our hard-working Americans. There should be 
absolutely no more delay.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.
  Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the previously 
scheduled rollcall vote begin immediately.