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Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sean Bonyun
202-225-3761
March 30, 2009

Upton Comments on President's Auto Plan
First step to recovery is to get Americans buying cars again – Bipartisan "Cash for Clunkers" bill & tax incentives will do just that

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), co-chair of the Congressional Auto Caucus, made the following statement today following the President’s address on the "New Path to Viability for GM & Chrysler."

"The auto industry is the backbone of the United States manufacturing industry and there is no question that success of the auto industry is fundamental to turning our economy around.

"I am especially troubled, despite the dire situation confronting General Motors, that all the stakeholders wouldn't come to the table to negotiate a viable plan. The stakes could not be higher - it is critical that these next 60 days produce a settlement to keep GM and its workers productive and our manufacturing base solvent.

"The first step on the road to recovery is to get Americans buying cars again, and I am heartened with the Administration’s recognition that we must address consumer incentives as car sales have plummeted across the globe. The bipartisan ‘cash for clunkers’ bill currently before Congress is a commonsense step to get the older gas guzzlers off the roads and get working families into the showroom to purchase a new family car. The near $10 billion in tax incentives left on the stimulus cutting room floor to allow folks to deduct state sales taxes and car loan interest should also be revisited as it would provide an immediate boost to car sales and Michigan’s ailing economy.

"It is the millions of workers in America’s automotive industry who are on the frontlines that will rise to the challenges and work tirelessly to help turn our nation’s economy around. This is about preserving jobs and creating new ones in Michigan and throughout the Heartland."

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