'Clunkers' on Ice Unless Senate Ponies Up $2B: LaHood

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 2, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
'Clunkers' on Ice Unless Senate Ponies Up $2B: LaHood
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood helps Taylor Kean, 5, get out of a vehicle during an event in Washington, Monday, July 27, 2009.   (Susan Walsh)

The Obama administration will suspend the "cash for clunkers" program unless the Senate provides $2 billion more for the popular car incentive plan, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. He said he expects the current $1 billion pool to be exhausted by the end of this weekend. The House approved an additional $2 billion on Friday and the administration is pressing the Senate to go along before its summer vacation begins at week's end.

"If we don't get the $2 billion from the Senate ... we would have to suspend the program next week," LaHood said in an interview on C-SPAN's Newsmakers. He said the administration "will continue the program until we see what the Senate does and I believe the Senate will pass this."
(More Cash for Clunkers stories.)

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