Kildee Votes to Fight Inflation, Lower Food and Gas Prices

Press Release

Congressman Dan Kildee, Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today voted to pass bipartisan legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, supported by Republicans and Democrats, to help reduce the cost of food and fuel in Michigan.

H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, includes two Kildee-introduced bills to lower gas prices. The first, the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, allows the year-round sale of gas containing 15% ethanol, known as E-15, and made with Michigan-grown corn. By allowing E-15 to be sold year-round, we can lower gas prices and increase America's energy independence. The second, the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act, provides grants to help deploy renewable fuel infrastructure across Michigan and the nation, further enhancing America's energy independence.

"My top priority in Congress is lowering everyday costs for Michigan families, especially the cost of gas and food," Congressman Kildee said. "This legislation, supported by Republicans and Democrats, will help lower prices for Michigan families at the grocery store and the gas pump. I know many families are struggling with high prices, which is why I am focused on passing legislation to lower costs for families."

In addition, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act will:

Lower meat and poultry costs by increasing meatpacking competition and capacity;
Lower fertilizer costs in the field to lower food prices in the grocery store;
Lower prices by improving our supply chains;
Support mid-Michigan farmers, who are leading producers of corn, a key component of ethanol.

"We thank Congressman Dan Kildee for supporting this bipartisan measure to ensure renewable, clean-burning, lower-cost E-15 fuel is available year-round for Michigan families and businesses," said Robert Geers, Vice President of Michigan Agricultural Commodities and Chairman of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. "Clean-burning biofuels save families money at the pump, benefit our rural economy and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil, so we're glad to see Congressman Kildee join the bipartisan call for year-round E-15 availability."

"Ethanol is an American-made product that is available right now to help reduce fuel costs and boost our energy independence," said Jim Zook, Executive Director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association. "Fuel retailers need regulatory certainty so that they can invest in expanding the availability of E15 fuel nationwide--and the biofuels portions of this package would help provide that certainty. We appreciate Congressman Kildee's support of Michigan farmers and consumers and thank those members of the House who voted in favor of moving this bill forward."

"As oil prices surge around the world, higher blends of ethanol offer a lower-cost, lower-emission option for hardworking families across America," said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. "Over the past few months, we've seen E15 deliver savings approaching $0.60 per gallon in some areas of the country. This legislation would solidify those savings and bring relief to more drivers nationwide. We're grateful to Rep. Dan Kildee for helping advance bipartisan solutions to unleash the power of American biofuels to combat skyrocketing gas prices."

"Ethanol is an energy solution that is available right now to help us reduce emissions and invest in Michigan's farmers and rural economies," said Don Morse, President of the Saginaw County chapter of the Michigan Corn Growers Association. "E15 is approved to be used in all cars built in 2001 or later--but without Congressional action, consumers will lose access to this fuel on June 1. We applaud Congressman Kildee's leadership in getting this bill passed the House of Representatives."

Kildee has been working in Congress to lower costs for mid-Michiganders, including introducing the Gas Prices Relief Act to suspend the federal gas tax until January 2023 and give Michiganders an immediate tax cut at the gas pump. Kildee also voted for the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act to prevent Big Oil from taking advantage of Michiganders at the pump. Similarly, Congressman Kildee has worked to lower prescription drug costs, including passing his Affordable Insulin Now Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to cap monthly insulin costs at $35.

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