Carnahan Supports Boosting "Cash For Clunkers" Program

Press Release

Carnahan Supports Boosting "Cash For Clunkers" Program

Today, Congressman Russ Carnahan (MO-3) voted to increase funding for the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Carnahan was an early supporter and co-sponsor of the original piece of legislation, which has been hugely successful in encouraging Americans to trade in their old gas guzzlers for new fuel-efficient cars. It was so successful that funding ran out in the first week of the program and now Congress is acting quickly to extend it.

The program allows consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Almost 200,000 cars have already been bought through the program, and it is expected to spur the sale of up to 800,000 more fuel-efficient cars and trucks, while stimulating the ailing auto industry and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

"This is a smart program that will help grow our clean-energy economy, cut down on pollution and save money at the pump as we reduce consumption by over 250 million gallons of gas," said Congressman Carnahan. "It goes a long way towards getting Americans back to work and behind the wheel of a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly car."

The initial bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by Congressman Carnahan, was supported by a broad coalition that includes the AFL-CIO, UAW, car dealers, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

"This bill is a win for the consumer, the economy, the environment and the auto industry," said Carnahan. "We're able to save American consumers money and save American jobs, at the same time we help our struggling auto dealers and continue down the path towards a cleaner, greener economy."

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