Congressman Al Green Votes to Help Consumers Purchase New Vehicles

(Washington, DC)--Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act, commonly known as “cash for clunkers.”  Congressman Al Green, a strong proponent of cash for clunkers, voted in favor of the bill, which passed by a 298-119 vote.

The CARS Act will provide $3,500 vouchers to consumers buying a new car that is at least 4 miles per gallon more efficient than the car being traded in and $4,500 vouchers to consumers buying a new car that is at least 10 miles per gallon more efficient than the car being traded in, with similar benefits for new, fuel-efficient trucks.  The benefit will be provided for one year following enactment of the bill.  To receive reimbursement for the voucher, dealers will be required to crush or shred the vehicle being traded in, though they will also be allowed to sell parts of the vehicle other than the engine block and drive train.

“Our great nation is currently facing many serious challenges.  This important bill will help us address several of them—it will assist cash-strapped consumers, it will strengthen the auto market, and it will improve our environment by getting high-polluting vehicles off the road,” Congressman Al Green said.

The “cash for clunkers” concept is based on an existing program in Texas that allows low- and middle-income consumers in the Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth areas with vehicles that are at least 10 years old or have failed an emissions test to trade in to receive vouchers of $3,000 for vehicles up to three years old or $3,500 for new hybrid vehicles.  Over 13,000 consumers in Texas have already benefited from these vouchers through the “Drive a Clean Machine” program.

“I am particularly proud that our great state had the foresight to enact a policy to help consumers get their older, inefficient cars off the road in 2007, and I am glad that the House has passed this important legislation to bring this policy to the whole nation,” Congressman Al Green said.  “Consumers, auto dealers and auto manufacturers across the country are all hurting.  The CARS Act is an important step forward in providing them some badly needed relief and getting our economy back on track.”