Despite last week’s news House of Representatives Democrats were close to forming a single, united Cash for Guzzlers bill, it may still be months before the legislation finds its way to law. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce committee, has made it widely known that he would like any sort of Cash for Clunkers legislation to a part of a larger climate change bill. If that happens, debates on carbon emission caps could slow the bill’s progress according to an article in the Detroit News.
That is, unless lawmakers like House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer get their way. Hoyer would prefer Cash for Guzzlers (or Clunkers) to be a separate piece of legislation so it could pass more easily through Congress. While both Waxman and Hoyher are keen on seeing the bill move forward one way or another, not everyone is pleased with the notion of a government-backed scrap program.
iStockAnalyst has joined the ranks of naysayers, claiming Cash for Clunkers infringes on the free market and is just another example of government meddling. Similarly, a post on HemmingsAutoBlogs outlines at least four other news outlets that have turned their backs on Cash for Clunkers for reasons varying from an ever-present credit crunch to MPG requirements that are too soft. Even with the negative feedback we’re seeing in the press, no one in congress has come out against legislations, which leads us to believe Cash for Guzzlers will see smooth sailing if it splits from the larger climate change bill.
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