Coalition applauds three important votes to end taxpayer-funded subsidies for ethanol in the Senate and House

WASHINGTON, DC – A broad and diverse coalition that includes business associations, taxpayer advocates, hunger and development organizations, agricultural groups, free-market groups, religious organizations, environmental groups, budget hawks, and public interest organizations applauded Congress for two important votes regarding taxpayer-funded subsidies for corn-based ethanol.

The Senate voted by an overwhelming majority of 73 to 27 to approve a bipartisan amendment offered by Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to the Economic Development Revitalization Act that would bring an end, effective July 1, to both the $0.45 per gallon Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) and the tariff on imported ethanol.

The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment offered by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012, which would prohibit the USDA from allocating funds for ethanol infrastructure, including blender pumps and storage facilities. Rep. Flake’s amendment was passed by an enormous majority of 283 to 128. In a clear sign of growing support for ending subsidies for corn-based ethanol, the Flake amendment received 22 more votes than it did when it originally passed the House in February. 

The coalition responded to today’s votes:

“This is a tremendously important day in our fight to end the taxpayer-funded subsidies for corn-based ethanol.  We applaud Senators Coburn and Feinstein and Representative Flake for their energetic leadership on this vitally important issue.  We look forward to continuing to work with Congress to see that this forward-looking decision becomes law. As a coalition we continue to strongly oppose taxpayer-funded subsidies for corn-based ethanol and welcome today’s votes as the start of a new era for U.S. biofuels policy.”

Members of the Coalition

ActionAid USA
American Bakers Association
Americans for Limited Government
American Frozen Food Institute
American Meat Institute
Clean Air Task Force
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Environmental Working Group
Freedom Action
Friends of the Earth
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Milk Producers Council
National Chicken Council
National Council of Chain Restaurants
National Meat Association
National Restaurant Association
Natural Resources Defense Council
National Turkey Federation
Oxfam America
Snack Food Association
Taxpayers for Common Sense