cash for clunkers senate

The cash for clunkers exchange program has turned lawmakers into victims of their own success. Now some senators are questioning why taxpayers should continue to foot the bill for something that technically has already achieved its goals.The program, approved in June, pays people to trade in their gas-guzzling clunkers for new, fuel-efficient cars.

It has helped boost auto dealers' sales numbers, and it's gotten a heap of inefficient vehicles off the road.But the program, which was set to expire on Nov. 1, has already spent pretty much all of the $1 billion the government set aside for it, leading Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to say that the wildly popular" program should be extended with additional funds.The House voted to give the program a $2 billion lifeline on Friday, and LaHood now is putting pressure on the Senate to approve the extension before it adjourns for August recess at the end of the week.But there was never a mandate in the original legislation that said the program had to last until November.

Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first," reads the government Web site for the clunkersprogram.The exhaustion of funds simply came before the expiration date.I just think this is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now,Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said on "FOX News Sunday,adding that the Senate needs to slow this thing down.We estimated this would cost $1 billion,

DeMint said. Now they're saying we need $2 billion more. Our children and grandchildren can't afford to make these car dealers well right now.Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has threatened to block the bill.Though supporters are talking about pulling the $2 billion from existing stimulus funds, that hasn't quelled Republican concerns.

Don Stewart, spokesman for Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, said that cash is still borrowed money.They can say it's paid for, but it's paid for with a credit card. ... It's like making your minimum payment through a cash advance of another credit card," he said.