Gilbert Gutknecht: “I would echo virtually everything that my colleague from Minnesota has just said. I would add that we have had meetings…”

“I would echo virtually everything that my colleague from Minnesota has just said. I would add that we have had meetings this morning both with the Speaker of the House as well as the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and we have had assurances from both that the ethanol program, as we have known it, will survive, at least through the end of the century. Obviously, we still have our work cut out for us, to continue to resell the benefits of the program, but I think by the time this bill ultimately is settled on in the House, the ethanol program will be saved. I happen to agree. I think ethanol is a great product. I think it is good for the farmer. But more importantly, it is good for our economy, good for our balance of trade and, more importantly, I think, perhaps than anything else, it is good for the environment. I have had assurances from both the Speaker and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Archer]. I met with him personally not more than an hour and a half ago. He assured me that by the time this bill ultimately is finalized, that the ethanol program will be protected as it is today, at least through the end of the century. We are making progress and our voices are being heard.”