Mr Dent was asked for the rationale behind the bill, but a response was not forthcoming.
A second bill was launched by Democrat senator Kay Hagan to suspend the duty of confectionery containing synthetic sweetening agents, such as saccharin, on 10 May.
Both bills would see amendments to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States if passed.
Dent’s bill has moved to the committee stage, while Hagan’s is yet to have moved to the next phase.
