Senate Republicans urge vote on pro-ethanol bill

Republican lawmakers from corn-producing states are hoping to get a vote on a pro-ethanol bill as soon as possible after striking a deal ahead of last week’s failed repeal of the Obama administration’s methane rule on oil and natural gas drillers.

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., who introduced the bipartisan ethanol bill, “received assurances” from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barrasso, R-Wyo., “that there will be a hearing and a markup” on the bill, said Brianna Puccini, spokeswoman for Fischer.