The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R. 7567) today, moving a broad farm bill package to the next stage of congressional action. H.R. 7567 passed drew praise from corn growers and rural leaders who said the bill’s multiple titles address long-standing needs across the sector. Members and farm groups highlighted the measure’s mix of program authorities and funding streams as critical support for producers facing economic pressure.
The legislation includes provisions in the conservation, trade, credit, rural development, research and energy titles, provisions the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said are vital to farm operations and rural communities. NCGA President Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer, said USDA programs authorized by the bill remain important as growers contend with elevated input costs. Bower commended House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson for guiding the legislation to passage on the floor.
Bower also noted the economic strain many corn producers continue to feel, saying growers are entering their Fourth year net losses and need reliable program support to remain viable. He said the bill’s mix of conservation and credit measures, alongside trade and research tools, will help address underlying challenges but underscored that near-term relief is still necessary. The NCGA framed passage of the bill as a step toward stabilizing farm finances while urging further action on energy policy.
Push for E15 Vote
Alongside the farm bill vote, House agricultural leaders signaled they will take up separate legislation to allow year-round retail sales of E15 gasoline blends. Bower said the NCGA and its allies will work over the coming weeks to secure a floor vote on the E15 measure, which Speaker Johnson has promised will be scheduled in about two weeks. The association argued a change to allow year-round E15 sales would expand ethanol demand and provide consumer savings at the pump amid rising fuel prices.
Support for the E15 bill includes Rep. Michelle Fischbach and 40 bipartisan co-sponsors, according to NCGA statements. The group specifically cited endorsement from House Rural Domestic Energy Council Co-Chairs Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), and thanked Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Nikki Budzinski (R-Ill.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) and Shontel Brown (D-Ohio) for their support.
Proponents say year-round E15 would boost ethanol sales that benefit corn growers and offer motorists lower-cost options at retail stations. Bower criticized what he described as efforts by a "handful of multi-million and multi-billion-dollar energy companies" to block the change and said the NCGA will press members of Congress to deliver a vote.
Sponsors and Supporters
House leaders have indicated the E15 measure will reach the floor in a couple of weeks, and the NCGA expressed confidence the bill will attract strong bipartisan backing when the vote is held.
Image credit: ncga.com
