[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 10, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                            HON. STEVE KING

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 10, 2009

  Mr. KING of Iowa. Madam Speaker, on June 9, 2009, I mistakenly cast a 
``YES'' vote on H.R. 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save 
Act. I am submitting this statement for printing in the Congressional 
Record to clarify that I am opposed to H.R. 2751 and had intended to 
vote ``no.'' The bill authorizes $4 billion of new spending. This is on 
top of the $85 billion American taxpayers have provided to help 
``restructure'' the auto industry already. Just yesterday, auto-parts 
suppliers asked President Obama's auto task force for an additional $8 
to $10 billion in federal aid. In addition, a similar program 
instituted in Germany ended up costing three times more than originally 
anticipated. Also, the legislation requires dealers to remove 
``clunkers'' from the market through salvage, reducing the amount of 
preowned supply. Families that still cannot afford a new automobile, 
even with the voucher, will face rising prices in the used car market 
during the current recession at a time when affordability is an even 
greater issue. Additionally, under the bill, the DOT is required to 
promulgate many of the regulations to implement the program within 30 
days. This grants too much authority to the executive branch to enact a 
new $4 billion dollar program. For these and other reasons, I am 
opposed to H.R. 2751, and I intended to vote ``no'' on rollcall 314.

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