Gov't Vouchers for Cars? Capitalist Pig Bob thinks Obama is Crossing the Public-Private Sector Line; Subsidizing Private Business Decisions MUST STOP!

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--U.S. House lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday on a program to provide government-funded discounts for trading-in old cars for more-efficient models, but Republican support remained uncertain. Under the new proposal, consumers would receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward new, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. The program would last a year, and would provide vouchers for about 1 million purchases, according to a fact sheet released by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif. The program would be authorized as part of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, according to Waxman's office. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., led the drive for the program in the House. Lawmakers still must find funding for the program. Some have suggested the money would come from the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year. President Barack Obama has signaled support for the concept of a so-called "cash for clunkers" program, as have House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., other Democrats and several Michigan Republicans. But Republican congressional leaders were apparently not heavily involved in talks on the proposal. -By Josh Mitchell, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-6637; joshua.mitchell@dowjones.com Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http://www.djnewsplus.com/access/al?rnd=W6UuMrXOzzpS27SyD3zXzg%3D%3D. You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day. (END) Dow Jones Newswires May 05, 2009 14:38 ET (18:38 GMT) Copyright (c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.- - 02 38 PM EDT 05-05-09