Opinion: E15 win shows bipartisanship is still possible

On May 13, something miraculous and rare in modern legislative politics occurred. A standalone bill passed the House with a vote of 218-203. During that vote, 122 Republicans, 95 Democrats and one Independent voted to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (H.R. 1346), which would allow for a 15% ethanol-gasoline blend to be sold year-round.

This win is not only a step in the right direction for farmers, but it also provides a template for policymakers and other advocacy groups for bipartisanship in today’s polarized environment. 

This is a niche issue to many, but to the farmers, ethanol producers, fuel retailers and the Midwest members of Congress who represent them, year-round E15 was more than a decade-long struggle. What it means in a tough economy for farmers and consumers is an opportunity to increase demand for corn and ethanol while also saving American drivers money at the gas pump. 

Corn grower leaders have steadily built support for E15 legislation in Congress over the years. The legislation passed the House once before, as part of the Lower Food and Fuels Cost Act in 2022. In 2024, it came close to being tucked into the year-end spending packages before getting knocked out for one reason or another.

By 2026, corn farmers were running out of patience and intensifying pressure on policymakers. Meanwhile, House members from both parties, many of whom are facing close races, are battling for control of their chamber in upcoming midterm elections. These dynamics don’t typically lend themselves to progress, but E15 champions were undeterred. 

House Democrats and Republicans wrote joint letters, stood side-by-side on the House floor and at press conferences, and spoke passionately about the benefits E15 would deliver to their communities. They knew their cooperation and the possibility of success could help the other side’s electoral chances even as it helped their own. Maybe members of the other party would even get more credit. But they put the common good first. They lobbied their leadership, their colleagues, the press — anyone who would listen — about the importance of getting a vote on E15. They even held up votes on other bills until a vote on E15 was promised. 

And then, with a rare and somewhat risky opportunity to get a vote on E15 as a single bill, these courageous legislators launched a full court press to whip “aye votes.” Numbers were looking good, despite a staunch opposition. Then came a last-minute procedural hurdle: a vote on a “motion to recommit,” which would have tanked the final vote on E15 in the eleventh hour and was introduced by a member of the majority — something that is typically unheard of. 

Again, E15 champions were undeterred. With Agriculture and Energy and Commerce Committee chairs and ranking members aiding the push, the motion to recommit failed by a massive margin of 309-112. And finally, after years of failed attempts, late nights and endless hours of negotiations, Republicans and Democrats got their E15 vote, and it passed!

What happened after the vote was also special. 

Members from both parties celebrated together. They thanked each other, complimented each other and openly recognized that bipartisanship made this win possible. And E15 became more than a bill about corn and ethanol. It became a case study of what is possible when policymakers return to bipartisan cooperation, even if it means someone on the other side of aisle will share credit for the win.

This scrappy, underdog effort offers a glimpse of what policymakers and good policymaking can accomplish for the betterment of people across the country, including our hard-working farmers. Let’s hope this becomes a recurring theme rather than a rare occurrence.

Lesly McNitt is the vice president of public policy at the National Corn Growers Association.