Representative Sutton Speaks in Support of Additional Funding for the CARS Program

I thank the gentleman for the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation that's going to provide an additional $2 billion for the CARS Act, a bill that I sponsored, sometimes referred to as "cash for clunkers." But by any name, this bill has been thus far a tremendous success.

It has helped consumers purchase cars that they couldn't have purchased in this economic downturn perhaps, but which they needed. It's going to give them cars and fuel savings for a long time to come.

It's helping our auto companies, our auto dealers, all of the jobs associated with that very vital and important industry in this country - to maintain itself, to continue and give it the chance to grow and restore.

The program also is of course good for our environment, because it's taking out those less fuel-efficient cars off the road and replacing them with more fuel-efficient cars. This is an unprecedented success, and my colleague is right. We must make sure that it works throughout the entire process. But we are well on our way, and I appreciate the leadership of the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Secretary LaHood, the Administration who I've been working very closely with to make sure that we build on this success, which is stimulating our economy, keeping people working, helping our environment and helping our consumers when they really, really need it. And I yield back.