Corn Power - Sen. Grassley snuffs out dissent on ethanol subsidies.

The Washington Post - Editorial
Wednesday, August 5, 2009

PRESIDENT Obama's nominee as ambassador to Brazil, Thomas A. Shannon Jr., is a longtime diplomat trained to speak honestly without giving unnecessary offense. So when Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) asked Mr. Shannon during his July 8 confirmation hearing about lifting the 54-cents-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol, most of which comes from Brazil, the State Department veteran responded carefully. "I personally believe that it would be beneficial, sir," Mr. Shannon remarked, "but I recognize that, especially in the U.S. Congress, there are different views at this point in time." In other words: It might be a good idea, but Congress sets policy, not ambassadors.

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