On June 21, the U.S. Senate failed to pass a cloture motion on a five-year reauthorization measure (S.782) for the Economic Development Administration (EDA).  Needing 60 votes for passage, the motion was defeated on a 49-51 vote with four Democratic Senators joining all Republicans in opposing the cloture motion.  As a result, the EDA reauthorization bill will not move forward for formal consideration and a final vote at this time. 

In the Senate, a cloture motion is used to end a “filibuster through amendments” when the opposition introduces non-germane amendments to drag out debate on a bill. The only amendment successfully adopted was introduced by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and would have eliminated the $0.45 per-gallon tax credit that refiners get for blending ethanol with gasoline and the $0.54 per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) tried to use the cloture vote to begin formal consideration of the bill and to limit debate on over 90 amendments that were offered to EDA’s 29-page reauthorization bill.  What had started as a bipartisan measure easily passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, then quickly became a platform for a partisan-charged political battle on the Senate floor. 

Although the reauthorization measure was unsuccessful, EDA will continue to operate through the annual appropriations process.  The reauthorization process is used to amend and update an agency’s policies and priorities, as well as assist Congress in the oversight of federal agencies and programs.  EDA has not been reauthorized since 2008 and has continued to receive funding through the appropriations process.  It is essential to continue your outreach efforts with your Senators and Representatives on the importance of EDA’s FY2012 budget.  It is not too late to ask your members of Congress to support EDA in the FY2012 appropriations process, especially related to increasing funding for the Economic Development District (EDD) planning program and maintaining support for the public works account.

Thank you again to each and every NADO member and friend who contacted their legislators about this important vote.  Numerous Senators from both parties expressed their strong support for EDA, including the work of EDDs, during the debate. 

To view the Senate floor vote scorecard on the cloture motion, click here.

To view the full text of S. 782, click here.