Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The latest spending proposal negotiated by House Republicans on Thursday drops a rider that would have allowed year-round sales of high ethanol fuel.
Why it matters: Midwestern lawmakers had been pushing for the provision, which was included in the original bipartisan CR.
- A range of farming and energy groups also has pressed Congress to pass a permanent E15 waiver into law for years.
What they're saying: Pulling the provision out of the bill "makes absolutely no sense and is an insult to America's farmers and renewable fuel producers," Geoff Cooper, the Renewable Fuels Association's president and CEO, said in a statement.
- "It's a kick in the teeth to rural America, and we are urging members to vote 'no' on any package that doesn't include this simple E15 fix."
Driving the news: The new legislation would extend government spending until March 14 and includes relief for disaster victims and farmers.
- It also includes a debt ceiling extension at the request of President-elect Donald Trump.
- But it drops a huge list of policy bills, including the proposal to allow year-round E15 sales.
