Senate Rejects Tough New Auto Fuel Economy Measure

[LauraK]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate rejected a proposal to require a sharp increase in automobile fuel economy Tuesday after concerns were raised that it would lead to a loss of auto industry jobs and limit consumer's ability to buy larger cars and SUVs.

By a 65-32 vote, the Senate turned back a proposal offered by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., that would have required automakers to produce a fleet average of 40 miles per gallon by 2015, a dramatic increase from the current 27.5 mpg now required.

Instead, senators approved by a 66-30 vote an industry-supported measure that turned the issue over to the Transportation Department, which will be required to take into consideration an array of issues - from job losses and highway safety to economic impact on U.S. auto manufacturers - before any rule change can be made.

More here

[LEFTofLEFT]

1. I know 65 Senators who have their heads deep up thier asses.

"concerns were raised that it would lead to a loss of auto industry jobs and limit consumer's ability to buy larger cars and SUVs"

Installing seatbelts will destroy the auto industry

Installing airbags will destroy the auto industry

BULL SHIT

Lack of inovation has always been the weakness of the auto industry.

Make them do better for their own good - NOW - or we will be bailing them out in the future.

[CO Liberal]

17. Any Senator With a Car Plant In His or Her State......

...would have been committing political suicide to vote "Yes". Thanks to Pretzelboy's mismanagement of the economy, no Senator cane afford to be seen as being anti-job.

[ibegurpard]

2. Loss of jobs doesn't seem to concern politicians too much

when it comes to outsourcing of IT jobs.

What about increased fuel economy lessening our dependence upon foreign oil sources? Is that not a pretty valid concern in these days of terrorists hiding behind every bush?

[ozymandius]

3. Nevermind these stupid politicians.

The U.S. auto industry will be forced to capitulate to the new standards being set by the Japanese auto makers. Say, for example, Toyota's new innovations: they've developed both a hybrid and alternatively fueled trucks and SUVs.

This is one area where free market forces have a distinct advantage over legislation.

[TheIdiot]

6. Watch out, Ozzy...

"This is one area where free market forces have a distinct advantage over legislation."

You're getting really close to heresy... or an epiphany. Either way, congratulations!

[MaineDem]

4. My Senators surprise me again

Snowe and Collins - and Chaffee and Gregg - voted AYE. Wow!!!

16 Dems voted No.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00309

[NewJerseyDem]

5. Maine has pretty good senators

They are both pro-environment. Snowe is actually a leader on the issue and I think she has a seperate amendment, with Dianne Feinstein, that would also increase fuel efficiency standards.

[joeybee12]

7. In a perfect world, I'd like your senators...

...they're from the northeast, and are more progressive than neanderthals like Miller in Georgia. HOWEVER, if I lived in Maine, I'd still always vote Democrat--you can see the mess we're in because the Republican thugs control the legislative process.

[genius]

11. The vote really surprises me.

A couple of my favorite Democrats (Feingold, Byrd) voted against it. Kerry and Graham skipped out on the vote. Edwards voted for it.

Both California Senators naturally supported it, as did Kennedy and Harkin.

[Resistance Is Futile]

8. Money for the boys

Yet more patronage. CAFE-exempt SUVs make a lot of profit for the oil industry.

[TheIdiot]

9. CAFE-exempt SUVs make a lot of profit for the oil industry...

and the tire industry,

and the steel industry,

and the glass industry,

and the electronics industry,

and the paint industry,

and the advertising industry,

and the lending industry,

and the auto sales industry,

and the auto repair industry,

and the left-leaning, agenda-pushing, news copy writer industry,

and the late night talk show host joke writing industry,

and every small business that can use a less expensive SUV to do the job instead of being forced by LACK OF CHOICE to purchase a more expensive, more dangerous, more gas-guzzling heavy truck.

And now you have the rest of the story.

[w4rma]

10. But they seem to have no problem exporting our jobs out of the country

after concerns were raised that it would lead to a loss of auto industry jobs

[Gloria]

12. Breathing apparently is not a top priority anymore...but having the

"freedom" to buy an oversized, often totally unecessary vehicle is ...

They all suck

[shirlden]

13. Have ya ever noticed

that the repigs always give us the "job loss" argument, when they really mean "profit loss". Job loss is not a problem with them...obviously. The RNC even sent it's fundraising callers jobs to India. If that wouldn't wake up a working man's brain to the hypocrasy of this party, I sure don't know what it is going to take.
Seems to me that this same scare was used when the original CAFE standards were set many years ago and only good came from them at that time, until a Repug congress had the opportunity to cancel them. If we had stayed with those standards we would not be in the Gulf now.
My last 3 vehicles have all been Toyota and the next 3 will be too.

Idiots.....greedy, uncaring, self-serving, a$$hole, idiots.

[metisnation]

14. This is the solution

I am gonna call Sen. Durbin, I a constiuent, this guy is the man! This guy won't take anyones BS. We need this guy out front as a point man he has solutions to problems ie reduce our dependency on foreign oil.


:kick:

[metisnation]

15. wow

i just said guy too many times...must be the hurricanes I have been puttin down.

[gristy]

16. This is a disappointing vote, but

the 2nd vote gives reason for optimism: Instead, senators approved by a 66-30 vote an industry-supported measure that turned the issue over to the Transportation Department, which will be required to take into consideration an array of issues - from job losses and highway safety to economic impact on U.S. auto manufacturers - before any rule change can be made.

I think the Dems (most of the Nays, anyways) just decided not to fight this battle right now, though of course, some of those Nays truly are in bed with Detroit. CAFE will get some teeth only with a Dem pres and Dem Congress.

[tokenlib]

18. Shortsighted and "gutless"...

Ok, I can see where Levin and Stabenow in Michigan refused a "political poison pill"... But it really is stupid and shortsighted for the Senate to vote this down. In fact, it is bad for the very industry they are trying to protect.

If it had passed...the auto industry simply would have accelerated the change toward hybrids and R&D for fuel cell and other alternatives. Instead of costing jobs--new standards would probably end up creating them. New more efficient vehicles would prompt people and businesses to want to replace their older technology. Now the "domestic" auto industry can drag their heels a bit longer.

[NewJerseyDem]

19. How would this hurt Levin?

I would doubt that he would lose in 2008 since he has so much seniority. Anyway, he will probably be retiring soon. His vote really surprises me. Stabenow's vote is more understandable since her election in 2006 may be close but I'm still disappointed in her.