Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called on lawmakers to take action and get E15 legislation over the finish line so President Donald Trump can enshrine into law expanded availability of corn-based ethanol across the U.S.

"We are asking Congress to step up to answer the call and to finally get nationwide, year-round, E15 legislation passed," Rollins said in a keynote speech Friday to the USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. "That will continue to drive domestic crop demand. A clear win-win for farmers and consumers." 

Biofuel producers and farmers are signaling impatience with efforts on Capitol Hill to craft compromise legislation that would allow year-round sales of higher-ethanol blends, known as E15, at gasoline pumps nationwide. A congressional council -- created last month after a proposed E15 bill was derailed by objections from some mid-sized refiners -- has yet to come up with a new plan with backing from the ag sector and large and small energy companies. The oil industry is divided on a proposal to reduce the number of biofuel-blending law exemptions for certain refineries. 

Rollins reminded the USDA forum that Trump ordered E15 legal during his first term, but a court ultimately struck the order down and kicked the issue to Congress. 

Rollins also touted the Trump administration's success in working to bring down farm input costs, opening new ag markets, forging trade deals and providing economic relief to financially struggling famers to help them get by until long-term, increased support is available later this calendar year from provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

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The U.S. ag chief also said USDA's $11 billion in bridge payments for row crop farmers will begin ahead of schedule. Producers will be able to apply for the program online or in person at their local Farm Service Agency office. 

"These resources will help carry producers into the next season, truly a bridge as purchase commitments and new trade deals take effect and input costs continue to decline," Rollins said. 

Rollins didn't comment on the the Supreme Court decision that said President Donald Trump overstepped his legal authorities in using emergency powers to impose tariffs, other than to say she was at the White House when the ruling was announced Friday morning.