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Michigan congresswoman says farmers were key in turning the tide for E15

A Democratic sponsor of E-15 legislation says passing the bill through the U.S. House was much more difficult than it should have been.

Michigan’s Kristen McDonald Rivet tells Brownfield, “We just need to recognize how hard it is for our farmers right now who are losing.”

“Not only do we see input costs going up, but we see markets restricting,” she says. “E15 is a really tangible way to help our corn producers and feels really common sense.”

She says delaying the bill and forming a task force studying year-round sales was unnecessary, but it gave lawmakers more time to hear from farmers in their districts.

“I think the conversations with local farmers across the country that would benefit from this really started to have people listen to what we were saying,” she says. “Then, of course, the impact of the war that has raised gas prices.”

McDonald Rivet says she’s optimistic that the bill can get bipartisan support in the Senate.