Reid Moves to Bring Up Clunkers Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) filed a fast-track procedural motion on the House-backed “cash for clunkers— legislation on Tuesday, according to a spokeswoman.If no one objects, Reid could immediately bring the measure — which would infuse another $2 billion into the car-buying program — to the floor, where it would almost certainly pass with well over 60 votes. The clunkers initiative ran out of cash within days, and President Barack Obama has been pushing Congress to authorize more funding before leaving town for the August recess.However, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who Monday criticized the rush to pass the bill, will likely raise objections and demand floor debate and a roll-call vote on the measure. If that occurs, Reid will have to file a motion to break DeMint’s opposition, putting off consideration of the bill for at least two days. The Senate is scheduled to adjourn on Friday for the month.The House moved quickly to pass legislation last week to fund the popular program, which provides a financial subsidy for car buyers who trade in old cars for more fuel-efficient vehicles.