U.S. Ag Policy in the Last 24 Hours: Biofuels Clash, Disaster Aid, Housing Bill

Politics Aug 14, 2025 • 08:57 PM

Summary

The American Petroleum Institute challenged an EPA proposal to award fewer RINs to imported biofuels, sharpening a fight with farm groups backing domestic feedstocks. USDA’s Farm Service Agency opened low-interest Physical Loss Loans for Minnesota producers hit by severe storms. On Capitol Hill, Reps. Zach Nunn and Emanuel Cleaver introduced the Rural Housing Service Reform Act to modernize USDA housing programs. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service also posted FY2026 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments, influencing farm-bill nutrition spending.

U.S. Ag Policy in the Last 24 Hours: Biofuels Clash, Disaster Aid, Housing Bill

Biofuels policy fight heats up: The American Petroleum Institute formally pushed back against the EPA’s plan that would award fewer RINs to imported biofuels/feedstocks than to domestic ones under the RFS—setting up a potential legal battle. Farm groups say the proposal favors U.S. soy/canola producers; refiners warn it could raise fuel costs. Reuters
USDA disaster aid in Minnesota: USDA’s Farm Service Agency opened low-interest Physical Loss Loans for producers hit by recent high winds, hail, tornadoes, excessive rain and flash flooding in Minnesota. Farm Service Agency
Rural housing legislation filed: Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) introduced the Rural Housing Service Reform Act of 2025, aiming to modernize USDA’s rural housing programs—important for farm-country communities and ag labor housing. nunn.house.gov
USDA program update touching food/ag policy: USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service posted the FY2026 SNAP cost-of-living adjustments (eligibility/allotments tables updated Aug 14), a recurring policy action that affects farm-bill-authorized nutrition spending.

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