Senate Adopts Amendment to Repeal Ethanol Import Tariff
On June 16, 2011, as part of its consideration of the Economic Development Revitalization Act (S. 782), the Senate adopted an amendment to repeal the import tariff on foreign ethanol.
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During debate on the ethanol amendment, some Senators noted that the Senate's action is largely symbolic because the Senate cannot originate a tax measure, and the measure would be rejected (aka "blue slipped") by the House.
(According to documents posted by Senator Feinstein and the Energy Department, the ethanol import tariff is comprised of a 2.5% ad valorem tariff and, for most countries, a 54-cent-per-gallon secondary tariff.)
Additional S. 782 Amendments Are Pending Consideration by Senate
The Senate has not yet completed its consideration of S. 782 and is scheduled to continue on June 21, 2011. The following amendments are among those pending consideration:
- to amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal.
- to strengthen the economic impact analyses for major rules, require agencies to analyze the effect of major rules on jobs, and require adoption of the least burdensome regulatory means.
- to reduce amounts authorized to be appropriated.