Corn Grower Leaders Call on Congressional Leadership to Pass Ethanol Legislation

Highlighting the downturn in the farm economy, the president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and leaders from 17 state corn grower groups sent an open letter to Democratic and Republican = Congressional leaders today, calling on them to pass legislation, yet this year, that would extend nationwide, consumer access to fuels with 15% ethanol blends as a way to begin to address the economic decline.

"The most durable way to help farmers through these troubling times is by creating more demand for corn and corn products," the letter said. "The most immediate path to begin to address this issue is by increasing consumer access to higher blends of corn ethanol."

The letter, which was sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), comes as corn growers across the country have been dealt a very difficult hand with input costs near record highs as corn prices fall to unsustainable lows.

To make matters worse for growers, a recent report released by the Department of Agriculture suggests that farmers are on course to produce a massive corn yield that is expected to be the largest on record, an outgrowth of exceptionally efficient and continually improving management practices. But additional corn on the market will only drive prices even lower.

Corn grower leaders have said one of the quickest ways to create demand for corn is by passing the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025, which would remove an outdated regulation under the Clean Air Act that bans the sale of fuel with 15% ethanol blends during the summer months.

"Ethanol sales are the lifeblood of corn growers and play an important role in the lives of millions of Americans," the letter noted. "Higher blends of ethanol in gasoline can save consumers money at the gas pump reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent an over-dependence on foreign oil."

Growers have fought for years to eliminate the summer ban, coming close only to be thwarted as deals on legislation have been made. Language was included in the 2024 year-end continuing resolution, but was removed at the eleventh hour during intricate negotiations.

Corn growers are visiting Capitol Hill this week to convey to members of Congress the importance of this legislation and the need to act as soon as possible.

Read the Letter