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Coalition Applauds Two Important Votes to End Taxpayer-Funded Ethanol Subsidies in the Senate and House

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Washington, DC, June 16, 2011 -

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 by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) that 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

California Dairies, Inc.

Clean Air Task Force

Defenders of Wildlife

Environmental Working Group

Friends of the Earth

Grocery Manufacturers Association