Ensign denies report that he embarrassed Gingrich

"I don't know where they're getting that," Ensign, R-Nev., said. "As far as our conversations with the speaker's office," there was no embarrassment, he said.

The Journal on Tuesday said the news release revealed a strategy by Republicans to add pet projects to a major bill overhauling the Internal Revenue Service. The story concluded that while Gingrich was embarrassed, he and Majority Leader Trent Lott support the measure killing the meals tax.

The IRS wants to tax employees on meals provided by their employers. The meals are provided to workers who do not have time to leave their job site to eat.

Ensign said Lott approved his release.

"Lott ... encouraged us to do press on it," Ensign said.

"GOP leaders are threatening to change legislation restructuring the Internal Revenue Service in a bid to cut taxes and achieve other election-year goals," the Journal said.

"The move could delay final approval of the IRS overhaul agreed to last week by House and Senate negotiators. It also reflects the increasingly dim prospect that Congress will write a major revenue bill this year."

Ensign conceded that the final bill could be delayed, but said he is still confident the meal-tax provision will be included.

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