Lawmakers turn up the heat on ethanol in response to rising food prices

They blame subsidies for an overproduction of corn, which they say has hurt other crops.

By James Hohmann, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 8, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Under pressure to do something about surging food prices, members of Congress are increasingly questioning the government's incentives for corn-based ethanol production, which have been blamed for contributing to the crisis.

At hearings Tuesday and Wednesday, a bipartisan chorus in the Senate and House called for rethinking ethanol policy. The corn lobby is pushing back, but even ethanol supporters acknowledge that some tinkering may be needed.

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