Senate keeps $6B in subsidies, but 34 GOP side with Coburn

The Hill
By Alexander Bolton and Josiah Ryan - 06/14/11 05:01 PM ET

Thirty-four Senate Republicans, including GOP leaders, voted on Tuesday to eliminate a $6 billion annual tax break for ethanol, striking a blow against the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

The vote came on an amendment sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) to eliminate a 45-cent tax break given to refiners for every gallon of ethanol they blend with gasoline.

Read more