Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on the negotiations that produced legislation which will add $2 billion dollars into the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program and continue to make vouchers available to car shoppers turning in less fuel-efficient vehicles.

“The success of the CARS program in just a few short days has been remarkable.  The program has been is doing so well in fact that the initial $1 billion allocated for program is already running low.  This is a great problem to have and is a sign that the program is not only working and consumers are very interested, but also that CARS is providing a jolt to our economic recovery efforts.  There have been some misconceptions about CARS today, and some believe that the program was suspended last night, but that is not true.  The program is still up and running and will be operational at least through this weekend.

“Today the House will take up a bill, put together with broad bipartisan support, to transfer another $2 billion to the CARS program from a Department of Energy program that has not yet spent any of its appropriated money to extend the program for a longer period of time.  This quick action represents the quick work and support of many Democratic and Republican Members of Congress, as well as the President of United States and his Administration.  This is a simple extension and infusion of money, and the legislation should not get bogged down by calls for changing the program.  That would only serve to stall the extension and confuse consumers.  We cannot and should not make changes to an extremely successful program that has only been operating for a week.  That would be irresponsible.  I urge those calling for changes in the program to go to the dealers themselves and tell consumers crowding showrooms and spending money on new, fuel-efficient vehicles why they feel such a reckless action would be a good thing.”
 

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