The House is debatingvoting on has passed an extension to the Cash for Clunkers program right now, after a quick debate on the House floor. This came after news broke yesterday that the program might be suspended for running out of money.
More details below....
The Cash for Clunkers program, for those not aware of it, is a Federal program that allows owners of any car that gets 18mpg or less to trade in their car for a more fuel efficient vehicle. The criteria for qualifying for the program can be found here. Congress originally set aside $1 billion for the program, which was approved last week, and which started three days ago. In those three days, all funds for the program were exhausted. This program generated, at least according to Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI 6), a quarter million auto sales in the last three days, and pumps a lot of money into the auto sector, and creates jobs in the meantime. Obviously, Congress is rather motivated to make this program keep running.
Oh yes..it also does a lot to improve the average fuel economy in the US, since the fuel-inefficient vehicles are recycled.
Congress is reportedly seeking $2 billion to extend the program, which would generate another half million car sales. This bill is getting support from both Democrats and Republicans; Republicans are admitting that this program is a huge, huge success, although some are complaining that some rebates are not being handed out as promised.
The down side is that some of the funds for this program are being taken from the renewable energy loan guarantee program. I can see the point, since this program does a LOT to cut down on fossil fuel consumption, but I would still like to see renewable energy.
UPDATE According to Re. Jay Inslee (D-WA 1), most of the cars being purchased have a fuel efficiency of over 30 MPG.
Another UPDATE The GOP are claiming that Cash for Clunkers is a golden example of how government screws things up, which should warn us that government run health care won't work. Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooookay.
BIG BIG UPDATE Voting now! The bill passed by a voice vote but the GOP wants a recorded vote. 15 minute vote.
MEGA TURBO UPDATE It looks like this is going to pass with at least 300 votes. It needs a 2/3rds majority to pass since they're suspending the rules.
WHAT? ANOTHER UPDATE? Yes, another update. The House passed the bill just a few minutes ago, 316-109. Whee!
O-UPDATE President Obama just remarked on the Cash for Clunkers program and how it fits into the greater economic picture.
I don't know what action is being taken in the Senate to extend this program. (Actually, I'm not even sure if action is necessary. Can anyone speak to this? Thanks.)
FINAL THOUGHT I'd like to revisit the way the GOP was trying to paint this program as an example of how the government can't handle health care.
Not exactly germane to this discussion, but....isn't it interesting that the Republicans vote to a person for Medicare in the H&C committee last night...that half of the Republicans voted for Cash for Clunkers...but they won't vote for a public option because the government "can't do anything right?"
These Congressional Republicans are pathetic, transparent, and hypocritical. And I hope that we progressives, from the White House to the poor house, use this vote and the H&C Medicare vote yesterday to hammer the snot out of public option opponents.
Okay, that's it for me, kids. Enjoy the rest of your day!