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Plant Based Products Council Honors Four Lawmakers with Inaugural Congressional Bioeconomy Champion Awards
PBPC recognizes bipartisan leadership advancing the U.S. bioeconomy, biomanufacturing, and rural innovation
May 13, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) this week honored Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Reps. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Mark Messmer (R-IL) with its inaugural Congressional Bioeconomy Champion Awards in recognition of their bipartisan leadership advancing America’s growing ag bioeconomy and championing policies that support biobased manufacturing, rural economic development, and domestic innovation.
The awards were presented during the 2026 PBPC Ag Bioeconomy Policy Summit in Washington, where industry leaders from across the plant-based products value chain gathered to advocate for policies that strengthen the U.S. ag bioeconomy and expand opportunities for American agriculture and manufacturing.
Throughout their Senate careers, Ernst and Klobuchar have played leading roles in advancing key legislation supporting the bioeconomy, including the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act and the Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act. Their efforts have helped elevate the importance of biobased products, domestic biomanufacturing, supply chain resilience, and rural innovation within national policy discussions.
“Senators Ernst and Klobuchar have been extraordinary champions for America’s bioeconomy and for the industries, farmers, innovators, and manufacturers driving it forward,” said James Glueck, PBPC Executive Director. “Their bipartisan leadership helped lay the foundation for many of the policies and initiatives that are shaping the future of biobased manufacturing and agricultural innovation today. Their work has created lasting momentum that will continue to influence the next generation of lawmakers and bioeconomy leaders for years to come.”
In the House, Budzinski and Messmer were quick to offer bold action to promote American leadership in the global bioeconomy. Both have sponsored bipartisan legislation to further the industry, which is critical to the economic future of the rural communities, producers, and innovators in their districts.
“In their short time in Congress, Budzinski and Messmer have already achieved a reputation for robust commitment to the American ag bioeconomy,” said Glueck. “These two leaders have worked across party lines to promote an industry that is critical to American national security, rural economic development, and agricultural market diversification. American biomanufacturing is in a better place because of the hard work of Budzinski and Messmer.”
Glueck added that the lawmakers’ leadership extended beyond individual bills to helping establish broader recognition of the bioeconomy as a strategic national priority tied to American competitiveness, domestic manufacturing capacity, rural economic opportunity, and supply chain security.
In presenting the awards to the congressional leaders, PBPC also recognized their support for policies that expand markets for renewable, plant-based products and create new economic opportunities for rural communities and American manufacturers.
All four lawmakers were presented with an American-made trophy 3-D printed with a plant-based filament produced from U.S. corn.
About the Plant Based Products Council
The Plant Based Products Council is an association of like-minded organizations that are advocating for a shift toward a more circular bioeconomy through greater adoption of renewable, plant-based materials supported by appropriate end-of-life infrastructure. We educate stakeholders and advocate for programs and policies that will support the growth of the plant-based products industry, helping to harness its economic potential to deliver a more sustainable future. Learn more at www.pbpc.com.