Jun 16, 2011

Senate votes to end ethanol subsidies

By Michael Winter, USA TODAY
Updated 38m ago

The Senate has voted to end about $6 billion in taxpayer subsidies for the ethanol industry. The vote on an amendment was 73 to 27.

Under the amendment, co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), refiners would lose the 45-cent-a-gallon subsidy, and the 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol from Brazil and other countries would be eliminated, Reuters writes.

Backing the repeal were 33 Republicans, 38 Democrats and both of the chamber's Independents, who caucus with Democrats, The Hill reports. Voting to keep the tax breaks were 14 Republicans and 13 Democrats.

The bill now goes to the House, which voted today to block the Agriculture Department from funding equipment the ethanol industry wants so filling stations can sell gasoline with higher blend rates.

In a procedural vote Tuesday, senators voted against ending debate on an amendment to end the subsidies, keeping the tax breaks alive.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... ubsidies/1