HOMEPAGE > NEWSROOM

Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
May 19, 2009
(202) 225-3761

Upton's Committee Gives Stamp of Approval to Cash for Clunkers Agreement to Help Save Michigan Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph), ranking Republican of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and co-chair of the Congressional Auto Caucus, applauded today's committee approval of a car scrappage amendment during consideration of H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) of 2009. The amendment, approved today by Upton's committee by a vote of 50 to 4 with one member voting present, mirrors the recent agreement struck by the President and congressional leaders.

During today's debate on the car scrappage measure, Upton urged the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee to move the bill separately and have it promptly considered on its own by the full House.

"The sooner we can get the scrappage bill done, the sooner we can save Michigan jobs and get folks back in the showroom buying cars again here in Michigan and across the heartland," said Upton. "The bipartisan agreement will provide a much needed boost to all of our local suppliers and dealers, provide some peace of mind to all our folks who work in the auto industry and give a helping hand to working families in desperate need of a new car. This concept has worked abroad with great success. Here at home we'll immediately invigorate domestic auto sales and help resurrect our auto industry after a painful few months."

Under the agreement, consumers may trade in their older, gas-guzzling vehicles and receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. The program will be authorized for up to one year and provide for approximately one million new car or truck purchases. Customers would trade in a car that has been registered and in use for at least a year, and has a federal combined city/highway fuel-economy rating of 18 or fewer miles per gallon. If you buy a new car, priced at $45,000 or less and rated at least 4 mpg better than the old one, you'll get a $3,500 voucher. If the new vehicle gets at least 10 mpg better, you'll get the full $4,500. Vehicle mileage ratings back to 1985 can be found at www.fueleconomy.gov.

###