Cash for Clunkers Fails to Earn Gregg’s Support

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act would give consumers a voucher worth $3,500 to trade in their old vehicle for a new one, but only if they get better gas mileage.

Senator Judd Gregg says he has two major concerns with the bill.

“Number one, it’s unpaid for. It’s four billion dollars of new debt.”

He also says the mileage requirements are too low to make a significant environmental impact.

“Under the House bill, you could probably end up trading in a pickup truck for a Hummer!”

He says that a better idea would be to subsidize electric car buyers, but only if the funding were available.

Both Representatives Carol Shea-Porter and Paul Hodes voted for the bill in the House.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen has co-sponsored a similar “cash-for-clunkers” bill in the Senate.

For NHPR News, I’m Phil Sletten.