July 31, 2025

Washington, D.C. – The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) welcomes the bipartisan reintroduction of the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act in the United States Senate, led by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). This forward-looking legislation will bolster America’s rural economy, advance the bioeconomy, and support high-quality job creation in America’s heartland.

“This legislation represents a strategic investment in the future of rural America and the farmers, workers, and innovators who fuel our economy,” said John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. “By backing next-generation biomanufacturing, the Ag BIO Act will help cement U.S. leadership in sustainable innovation while delivering economic opportunity where it’s needed most.”

The Ag BIO Act outlines a roadmap to enhance U.S. competitiveness in biomanufacturing by cultivating new applications for agricultural feedstocks such as corn. It promotes the transition from traditional manufacturing methods to more sustainable alternatives rooted in American-made materials and technologies.

The bill updates and broadens the USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program, unlocking expanded opportunities for corn refiners and others in the bioeconomy. The legislation will also lay the groundwork for a more dynamic bioeconomy by streamlining eligibility, clarifying lending terms, and broadening the scope of supported outputs.

The bill is a companion measure to legislation introduced in May by Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL).

The legislation and its underlying provisions are an integral part of CRA’s Farm Bill priorities. 

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About the Corn Refiners Association (CRA)
The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch oil, protein, and fiber.