Stabenow Statement on Senate Rejecting House Proposal to Gut Michigan Job Creation Initiative

Press Release

Senator Debbie Stabenow, author of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan initiative that has helped automakers transform old factories, create jobs, and build the cars of the future in Michigan, issued the following statement today after the Senate rejected a measure that would have cut $1.5 billion out of the initiative (half of all available funds) by attaching it to emergency relief in states recently damaged by natural disasters:

"It's amazing that House Republican leadership continues its attempt to cut this jobs initiative by attaching it to disaster relief. Now it looks as though they are even threatening-again-to shut down the government in order to do it. This initiative has helped our businesses transform abandoned factories to build new high tech products in Michigan instead of overseas. Congress should cut waste and government programs that don't work, not end incentives that help businesses create jobs here."

The Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan initiative (ATVM, also known as "Section 136" loans) has shown proven success in creating jobs in Michigan and across the country. The Department of Energy estimates the initiative has led to 41,000 more American jobs.

Stabenow authored the ATVM Loan initiative as part of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Automakers, suppliers and other manufacturers can qualify for loans if they commit to transform old manufacturing facilities to build new high-tech clean energy products in the United States.

Source