(NAFB) – A group of Senators wants the Department of Agriculture to assist biofuel producers hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group includes Republican Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds of South Dakota and others, led by Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar. Additional funding was added to the Commodity Credit Corporation by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stabilization Act.

The lawmakers request Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack “use this explicit authority to aid the nation’s biofuels industry.” The Trump administration claimed using the funds would go against congressional intent. The lawmakers tell the Joe Biden administration that the funds are intended for the biofuels industry.

The Senators write to Vilsack, “We have been encouraged by your recent statements at your confirmation hearing that you will fully utilize USDA resources to get biofuel producers back on track and will aid the Biden Administration in restoring the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard.”