OH-02 GOP Jean Schmidt: Supporting Imported Ethanol Refined On The Backs Of Brazilian Slaves?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-OH-02, claims falsely that China is drilling for oil off the coast of Florida. She refuses to retract the claim, and fired off a letter to Cincinnati Democratic Party Chairman Tim Burke this week that says, "I will do everything in my power to increase the supply of gasoline in this country . . ." She wants lower prices at the pumps, and is co-sponsoring a House bill that repeals federal taxes and tariffs on imported ethanol. The source of much of that foreign ethanol Schmidt wants: Brazil.

But there are reports of slavery in Brazil's ethanol industry. And does her pledge to do "everything in my power to increase the supply of gasoline in this country" mean that she has overlooked or downplayed the existence of forced labor? Does she think that Americans are so callous and thirsty for gasoline that they will condone slavery to fill their fuel tanks? The Wall Street Journal took note of the human bondage earlier this year. So did the U.S. State Department, which issued its annual country report on human rights four months ago. American ethanol used as motor fuels is distilled from corn; Brazil's is made from sugarcane. The complete text of the government's report on Brazil is available here. This description of ethanol and working conditions in Brazil seem pertinent:

"Violators for forced labor laws enjoyed virtual impunity from criminal prosecution, and no landowner has ever been convicted and imprisoned for using slave labor . . . In July MTE inspectors [government inspectors] freed 1,108 forced laborers from a sugar cane farm producing can for ethanol in Ulianopolis, Para. Several improper adjustments had been made to the workers' paychecks, often leaving workers owing money at the end of the pay period. The living quarters of the workers were overcrowded and unsanitary. The owners agreed to pay what was owed, and ethanol distributors said that they would not buy ethanol from the firm until the workers' rights were respected."

There are numerous other reports, including disclosures earlier this year that former Democratic President Bill Clinton invested in a Brazilian ethanol firm accused of mistreating workers. Clinton's connection is here, and spokesman Matt McKenna said the former president "finds these allegations deeply troubling" and expected an immediate end to the degrading conditions for the ethanol workers.

In fact, there have been a string of similar incidents in Brazil which are recounted here on McClatchy, here on FOX news, and here in the UK's Guardian. An English language Brazilian publication also raised the issue of slavery and harsh working conditions. And there's this from the Catholic News Service:

"Harvesting jobs are a magnet for unemployed laborers from other parts of Brazil, The Catholic Church office that ministers to migrants estimated that about 40,000 migrant workers help with the sugar cane harvest in Sao Paulo state. Many are bused to the farms by middlemen who charge them inflated fees for transportation, meals and supplies, creating debts that the workers cannot repay and forcing them into a form of slavery."

OH-02 GOP Jean Schmidt: America Needs To Import Brazilian Ethanol

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Earlier this month, the Cincinnati Republican signed up as the 19th co-sponsor of a measure that would open U.S. energy markets to more foreign imports. The move would aid Brazil's farmers and that country's growing ethanol industry by allowing a foreign competitor to gain access to American consumers.

Here's the bill, H.R. 6137 Title: To remove the additional tariff on ethanol. Sponsor: Rep Shadegg, John B. [AZ-3] (introduced 5/22/2008) Cosponsors (19) Latest Major Action: 5/22/2008 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
COSPONSORS(19), BY DATE [order is left to right]: (Sort: alphabetical order)
Rep Barton, Joe [TX-6] - 5/22/2008
Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 5/22/2008
Rep Deal, Nathan [GA-9] - 5/22/2008
Rep Radanovich, George [CA-19] - 5/22/2008
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] - 5/22/2008
Rep Rogers, Mike J. [MI-8] - 5/22/2008
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] - 5/22/2008
Rep Sullivan, John [OK-1] - 5/22/2008
Rep Burgess, Michael C. [TX-26] - 5/22/2008
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 5/22/2008
Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] - 5/22/2008
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 5/22/2008
Rep Pearce, Stevan [NM-2] - 5/22/2008
Rep McCrery, Jim [LA-4] - 5/22/2008
Rep McCaul, Michael T. [TX-10] - 5/22/2008
Rep Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [NY-29] - 5/22/2008
Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] - 5/22/2008
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 6/3/2008
Rep Schmidt, Jean [OH-2] - 6/5/2008
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Currently, the U.S. levies a 54-cent per gallon duty on imported ethanol, plus a 2.5 percent tariff. The levies were put in place to protect the domestic ethanol industry, which is supposed to deliver a home-grown source of fuel to help free the U.S. from foreign energy producers. But some Republicans contend opening the U.S. market could mean lower gas prices for Americans. GOP talking points for the measure cite Brazil as a source for the imported ethanol: "We can continue to encourage domestic cellolusic and advanced biofuels to take the place of food-based ethanol here at home. Until those fuels are commercially available, it makes sense to increase our supply of ethanol needed in consumers tanks, especially from our friends, like Brazil."

The Republican talking points are available here.

Schmidt has already put her foot in her mouth once this month by dabbling in U.S. energy policy. She says China is drilling offshore oil wells near the Florida coast. So far, nobody has been able to find them. You can read about that flap and watch a video of the House speech in which she says, "the Chinese are drilling off the coast of Florida with their new energy partner, Cuba."

Meanwhile, the Republican claims that China is drilling near Florida are being debunked, and seem to have been a mirage on the distant horizon.