Senate outvotes Ford’s oil plan

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33774, 21 February 1975, Page 13

Senate outvotes Ford’s oil plan

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright*

WASHINGTON, February 20. The Senate has voted overwhelmingly to suspend for 90 days President Ford’s controversial oilimport tax by a margin larger than was necessary to override an expected Presidential veto.

President Ford immediately |c said that he would indeed)i veto the measure: “I regret is today’s vote, but do not re-|t gard it as final,” he said. “lis intend to veto this legislation) because I believe that a., prompt solution to our)] energy problems is essential q to the safety and progress of , the United States. ), “I believe that Congress will ultimately respond to the, will of the American people ] )and serve national, rather |j than narrow interests. I willj [continue to work with Con-)! [gress to this end.” i Mr Ford used his national; security powers to impose!] the higher oil-import fee on;< foreign oil: It began at sUSl[i a barrel on February 1, an- j other SUSI would have been 1 added on March 1, and a third I j on April 1, to bring in reve-l nue-estimated at SUS4OOm a t month. : i The Senate vote on the If moratorium was 66-28. A two;( thirds vote is required to'l push a measure past a veto, f The House of Representa- ‘ tives had already approved it the moratorium, also by suffi-'r cient. votes to make it law it despite Presidential rejection. ! The outcome was never in't

doubt, the only suspense having been whether the Administration’s forces could muster the necessary votes to [sustain a veto. I The oil-import surcharge was the cornerstone of Mr ) Ford’s entire energy proi posals. designed to reduce [growing American dependence on foreign oil. ) Several Republican moves Ito modify the 90-day moratorium were defeated before the I final roll-call, including one jplan by Senator Jacob Javits 'to limit the higher fees only |to petrol. I Democratic leaders of both; ! Houses are working on their ! own energy programme, which may be ready within a week. It is expected to include a proposal to impose, graduated taxes on car fuel.) President Ford is reported to have embarked on an intense lobbying effort, and[ Senator Henry Jackson (Democrat, Washington), a, leader of the anti-tariff forces, said yesterday:) “Some senators who voted to delay the increased fees might side with Mr Ford on the veto vote. The White) House is putting on the greatest pressure ever.”