GLICKMAN ON BILL TO END ETHANOL TAX EXEMPTION
                                            Release No. 0134.98

Statement

                              OF 
                U.S. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DAN 
                    GLICKMAN ON BILL TO END ETHANOL TAX EXEMPTION

     "At a time when American farmers and ranchers are suffering from poor
railroad service in large parts of the western United States, it is
troubling that the House Ways and Means Committee would approve an amendment
to the ISTEA bill that would effectively require agriculture to pay for tax
relief for the railroad industry by allowing the ethanol excise tax
exemption to expire. Ethanol improves farm income, creates jobs in rural
America, reduces U.S. reliance on foreign oil, and is good for the
environment. All good reasons the President, Vice President, and I support
extending the ethanol excise tax exemption through 2007. In addition,
American farmers and ranchers are losing money and international
competitiveness because of inadequate service by U.S. railroads.  I am
disappointed that America's farmers and ranchers are being asked to foot the
bill for railroad tax relief."  

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