House narrowly passes scaled-back 'Cash-for-Clunkers' legislation
After the House and Senate agreed on the terms of a cut-down version of the Cash for Clunkers legislation, it passed the house on Tuesday by a narrow margin (226-202) after being added as a supplemental appropriations bill to continue funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Per the previous agreement, the new bill only contains $1 billion for the program, about a quarter of what was originally proposed, and will only extend through the 2010 fiscal year, ending on September 30.
The $3,500 and $4,500 vouchers for consumers remain intact, along with the 18 mpg provision, and there's a movement underfoot to get the legislation prolonged passed the 2010 fiscal year. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon and, if all goes well, it should land on the President's desk this week.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req. | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim 4:59PM (6/17/2009)
"...it passed the house on Tuesday by a narrow margin (226-202) after being added as a supplemental appropriations bill to continue funding the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."
THIS is the problem! When a bill can't stand on it's own legs, our corrupt statist politicians stick it into an UNRELATED bill.
Look out when a bill's title includes the words "... and for other purposes." These words mean that "We, the People" are getting SCREWED AGAIN.
Bend over, baby. We’ll be gentle… it will only hurt a little!
(This bill is about selling us more cars and putting us into MORE consumer debt! Damn IDOT statists.)
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nrb 6:28PM (6/17/2009)
This isn't just a problem with the bill, it's a problem with how Congress works. The favor trading (on both sides) is shameful and needs to stop.
SandyBrown 7:04PM (6/23/2009)
I think you are being rather boorish-
This "clunker" stimulus might really work- better than giving it to the banks, who are hoarding the dough.
Yes, they should not have added it to another bill and I am against that but that is how the political world works and they haven't learned any new tricks...elephants can learn alot more than donkeys can on any day.
Dolphyn 5:17PM (6/17/2009)
This is NOT good news for the environment. Wars are devastating for both people and nature. I am very disappointed that many Democrats promoted and voted for war funding, and very disturbed that organizations such as MoveOn and Democracy for America haven't lifted a finger to stop it.
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Kevin 11:00PM (6/17/2009)
What, are you kidding? I have to hold onto my cherokee until 2010??? Grumble, grumble...
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downtoearth 8:27AM (6/18/2009)
You may be interested in reading an interesting criticism of "Cash for clunkers" legislation.
"The 2012 Oil Crunch vs. Cash for Clunkers" http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497
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TIMMAH! 1:20PM (6/18/2009)
So what's considered a "clunker"?
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sandybrown59 7:35PM (6/23/2009)
I am estatic for the "clunker" stimulus bill- maybe the car dealers will do what the banks didn't do...stimulate the economy!!!
gh 6:46PM (7/26/2009)
I have a 1988 Ford Tempo that gets between 17 and 18 miles per gallon
According to the government calculator it gets 21 and so does not qualify!
According to the new method for calculating miles per gallon this car gets between 17 and 19 miles per gallon ... city ... which is where it is driven
So the bottom line is I am and have been driving a clunker for years but do not qualify for anything...while wealthy owners of a hummer which they knew was totally a gas guzler when it was purchased...qualify!
Can we really believe the hummer which is no longer being manufactured is really going to be crushed and recycled!
An Unfair Law to clunker owners everywhere who would love some government assistance in to purchase a new high mileage car!
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