ALEXANDRIA, VA -- Congress retuned to business this week following the St. Patrick’s Day recess as the national average retail price for gasoline increased by double digits. And, as the market transitioned from winter to summer grade gasoline and prepared for the transition from MTBE to ethanol, Congress continued to pay special attention to energy issues.
As NACS Daily reported earlier this week, former NACS Chairman Bill Douglass testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding the transition to ethanol and recommended Congress suspend the tariff on ethanol imports to help ensure adequate supplies. Also, House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) announced this week his intention to move energy policy legislation by the end of June.
The content of a possible new energy bill this spring remains uncertain, but key Congressional staff were beginning to canvass the wide variety of potential issues that might have an affect on market conditions in both the near and the long terms. NACS will continue to recommend that Congress consider several provisions, such as suspending the ethanol tariff, expanding domestic ethanol capacity, and limiting state authority to mandate boutique renewable fuel requirements. Each of these carries with it significant political challenges, but they represent among the few public policy options that could provide any meaningful relief for consumers.
Meanwhile, NACS continues to work with key members of the House Financial Services Committee to ensure that Internet gaming legislation approved by that committee last week is not amended to authorize the sale of lottery tickets on-line. Other legislative proposals would authorize on-line lottery sales and NACS is lining up support to defeat such efforts.
On the issue of lobby reform, in the aftermath of the first sentencing for disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the Senate approved its reform package. Unfortunately, NACS-supported language to close the Native American campaign finance loophole was not included. The effort now turns to the House, which has dramatically slowed its drive towards reform in order to fully evaluate the various proposals under consideration. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) remains the lead on this important effort to ensure a level playing field in the political process.
Congress has one more week before it heads home for a two week Easter recess. We’ll see what they are able to do next week.
Have a great weekend.
John Eichberger
Vice President, Government Relations