This afternoon, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to end $6 billion in subsidies for ethanol, with 34 Republicans joining the 73-27 majority to end tax breaks and protective tariffs for the corn-based fuel industry. The effort was led by Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK), with strong support from members of both parties.

But despite usually strong bipartisan backing, not everyone is happy. Beyond to the expected dismay of the ethanol industry and corn state senators, one powerful man in Washington is worried his grip on GOP lawmakers is slipping. As the Hill reports:

As such, the vote could also represent a setback for influential conservative Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), who said a vote for the plan would violate the anti-tax pledge most Republicans have signed unless paired with a separate tax-cutting amendment.

Nealy every Republican lawmaker in Washington has signed Norquist’s anti-tax pledge, in which they vowed to never raise taxes, unless offset by other tax cuts. But Feinstein’s bill ends ethanol’s tax breaks without cutting taxes elsewhere, so Norquist dubbed it a “tax increase.”

And Norquist is livid. In an interview with the National Review, the influential lobbyist slammed Coburn, with whom he’s publicly feuded for some time, for taking Republicans’ tax hike “virginity”:

Norquist [said the vote was] essentially a gateway drug that would inevitably lead to additional [tax] increases down the road. “He said, ‘Ha ha, popped your cherry, lost your virginity. Now give me $2 trillion in tax increases,’” Norquist says. “As soon as they voted, he turned around and called them sluts. Guys like that didn’t get second dates in high school.”

Coburn had his own harsh words for Norquist, saying the vote was a clear rebuke of the ATR head:

“That’s 34 Republicans who are willing to say this is more important than a signed pledge to ATR,” he told reporters after the vote. “I think you all think [Norquist] has a whole lot more hold than I think he has.” Then, in a follow up statement, he added: “Taxpayers should be encouraged that Republican senators overwhelmingly rejected the ludicrous argument that eliminating tax earmarks is a tax increase.”

Indeed, even Coburn — one of Congress’ most conservative members — and some of his colleagues realize that the die-hard refusal to ever raise taxes espoused by Norquist and many Tea Party activistic is no way to govern. But now that Republican senators have voted to end ethanol subsidies, will they do the same for subsidies to the oil industry?

On Wednesday, ThinkProgress attended Fortune Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women” dinner honoring accomplished women leaders from around the world. The centerpiece of the evening was a discussion with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). When Fortune Editor at Large Pattie Sellers asked Feinstein about serving as one of the few women in the Senate, Feinstein took a swipe at her male counterparts:

FEINSTEIN: There are 17 of us [women in the Senate] now. When I came in there were two. It was known as the “Year of the Woman” because a few of us got elected to the Senate. …

SELLERS: So the environment really has changed now that there are 17, and it’s easier? And here you are on regulatory reform…is there going to be this?

FEINSTEIN: Well, I actually think that if we had all women, we would solve the problem. But, I think there will be a bill now. I’m delighted that this impasse has finished, that this debate will move forward, that there will hopefully be substantial amendments and not [inaudible] amendments to incite one side or another, what we call message amendments, but practical amendments to make the bill better. And if that’s the case, I do believe we’ll have a bill.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) was sitting at the front of the room and enthusiastically clapped when Feinstein said that women would have solved the financial problem by now. Watch it:

Earlier in the conversation, Feinstein acknowledged Collins and said that she wished all Republicans would be as “reasonable” as she is. This week, Collins decided to part with her Republican colleagues’ intransigence and agreed to begin debate on financial reform legislation.

In recent days, President Obama has reiterated his pledge to oppose prosecutions of individuals responsible for torture under the Bush administration. However, Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) yesterday wrote to the President and asked him to keep the door open to prosecutions. From the text of the letter, obtained by ThinkProgress:

I am writing to respectfully request that comments regarding holding individuals accountable for detention and interrogation related activities be held in reserve until the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is able to complete its review of the conditions and interrogations of certain high value detainees.

This study is now underway, and I estimate its completion within the next six to eight months. A study of the first two detainees has already been completed and will shortly be before the committee.

Please join our campaign calling on Congress to begin impeachment hearings against Jay Bybee.