Corn Growers Hail Natural Gas Exploration Vote in Congress (12-8-06)

In a vote this afternoon, the House passed by a wide margin, H.R. 6111, an economic tax package that includes legislative language that provides for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and natural gas exploration and development. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is hailing this vote as a victory that will ensure domestic development of natural gas. Extensions for ethanol related tax incentives were also included in the bill.

The vote was 367-45. The bill will now be combined with the trade bill that is still before the House. Once combined, the full bill will be sent to the Senate. The Senate schedule for the weekend is still uncertain, but the bill may go to the floor for a vote Saturday or Sunday.