Chuck Grassley: “Unlike my colleague and supporter of ethanol, Senator Daschle--and he is a big supporter of ethanol--I am not reluctant…”

“Unlike my colleague and supporter of ethanol, Senator Daschle--and he is a big supporter of ethanol--I am not reluctant to vote for cloture because if we don't get cloture on this bill, we will never have the opportunity to get renewable fuels and the environmental impact of those renewable fuels and what it does for American agriculture. This is the best thing for renewable fuels and ethanol that we have had before this Congress in 25 years. This is an opportunity for people to decide: Are they for the farmers or are they against the farmers? This bill, for the most part, is very good for the green growing regions of the Midwest. The choice is easy. This bill contains those production incentives for ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable energy sources--the best ever for Senators from other energy-producing regions, such as the gulf States, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, and the Appalachians. The bill moves the ball forward for energy production. The Finance Committee has a history in the area of energy-related tax policy. Almost one decade ago, my committee put its imprint on a comprehensive energy-related tax policy. The bill the committee produced strikes a very good balance between conventional energy, alternative renewable energies, and conservation.”