Senate votes against measure for gas tax repeal

From CNN Correspondent Kate Snow

July 13, 2000
Web posted at: 6:17 p.m. EDT (2217 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate on Thursday effectively voted down a Republican-sponsored measure that would have removed the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gasoline tax with hopes of bringing down high prices at the pump.

On a 59-40 vote, the Senate rejected a motion to proceed that would have allowed them to vote on the gas tax repeal for 150 days. The move was offered as an amendment to a Republican bill to to abolish federal estate taxes.

President Clinton already has said he plans to veto the estate tax measure, and the White House opposes a repeal of the gas tax, so there was little question that the nation's drivers would benefit from Thursday's legislative efforts. But Republicans used the debate to send a message to voters.

The sponsor of the amendment, Sen. Spencer Abraham, R-Michigan, is in a tight re-election battle in his home state. Abraham said it was time to provide relief to Americans at the gas pump.

"We're here to try to help men and women, the hard-working families of this country," he said. "This is something we can do in a concrete way to help them, and it can be done in a fashion that does not undermine the road projects that are going on."

But Democrats attacked the measure, saying it would take $10 billion away from a fund for upkeep and construction on the nation's highways. They also cited reports indicating that gas prices are on the way down from their high point this spring.

"You may feel like you're getting a bargain now," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-New Jersey. "But sometimes we put away money for a later day."