Ernst Calls for E15 to Drive Down Prices at the Pump

WASHINGTON - After the House passed historic legislation to give Americans the option of affordable E15 year-round, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, called on the Senate to immediately take up this legislation to drive down prices at the gas pump.

Watch her full remarks here.

Full remarks:

"Folks, we all know energy security is national security.

"Right now, what's left of the brutal Iranian regime is holding the world hostage and targeting the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

"That's 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 long-time 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've heard it over and over again 'this is a mandate' - but this is not a mandate.

"E15 simply gives consumers another, more affordable price at the pump. It is about choice. Again, it is not a mandate. It is just another choice at the pump.

"We've seen it work.

"Thanks to President Trump's approval of summertime sales of E15, this Memorial Day Weekend, Americans are estimated to save over 100 million dollars - just by using E15.

"That's real savings.

"And with the House's inclusion of my provision to cut red tape, we can completely avoid costly fuel infrastructure upgrades and unlock E15 at every gas station or truck stop 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. Now, it's the Senate's turn.

"And let me emphasize for all who are listening - that our large oil companies and those truly small oil refineries, our fuel retailers, our ag associations and the biofuel groups have all created and support this E15 agreement.

"That's 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.

"Now, there are a few folks out there that don't agree with this deal.

"These are the so called mid-sized refineries.

"Those mid-sized 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 mid-sized refiners that are trying to kill this year-round E15 deal, and I will tell you, there are only six mid-size refiners. Six. Those six mid-size fuel refiners that are trying to kill this bill made more, just six, six of these refiners make more [annually] and will continue this trend than the 3.32 million family farmers.

"Six, six refiners are making more than the 3.32 million American family farmers.

"Those are the six refiners, six, just six that are trying to kill this bill in the United States 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 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's fueling at the pump have another choice.

"Not a mandate, but a choice.

"And I'll tell you what, because I use ethanol back home in Iowa when I'm 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's E15. And I'm proud to support.

"I'm encouraging all of our members here in the United States Senate to support this really commonsense legislation that has come forward from the House.

"Support our hardworking Americans.

"There should be absolutely no more delay."

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