Will the senate approve funding the "cash for clunkers" program? Make your predictions

LaHood has said "Any deal that is made (Monday) or the next day and that is in the pipeline, ... the dealer will be reimbursed and the car buyer will be reimbursed." I am trying to decide if I should haul ass and trade my clunker in for a Ford Fusion hybrid. On one hand, I really don't have the time to do it and I am having trouble finding the Fusion hybrid I want. But on the other hand, I think the senate won't pass this. All I am hearing about is senators who are against it. So... what do you think will happen? More info here...


‘Clunkers’ $2 Billion Infusion Depends on U.S. Senate Vote

By Holly Rosenkrantz and Angela Greiling Keane

Aug. 2 (Bloomberg) -- The future of the U.S. “cash for clunkers” program depends on the Senate backing a $2 billion infusion this week, with at least one Republican saying he was going to try to block the effort.

“We’ve got to slow this thing down,” Senator Jim DeMint, a South Carolina Republican, said on “Fox News Sunday.”

The House voted 316-109 on July 31 for an emergency measure adding $2 billion to the program aimed at reviving U.S. auto sales, after a burst of demand exhausted most of the initial $1 billion in less than a week.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a C-SPAN interview Sunday he expects the current $1 billion in funding to be gone by the end of the weekend. The administration will continue the program until the Senate acts, and dealers will be reimbursed for deals in the pipeline, he said. The government will make a “good-faith effort” for transactions beginning tomorrow, he said.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a.7uQd.rfHSI

Its popular, but has everyone who can, "blown their load"? People are extremely worried about spending, deficits and taxes. This seems like a program where the product being used to stimulate the economy may be considered a frivolous expense for private citizens. With "the economy improving", some may want no more money spent unnecessarily. I'm approaching this from the stimulative angle, more than the environmental one.

Whats the media's take on the program? I haven't been paying attention. It may influence the people's take, and then, their reps.

BTW, Im a big fan of goods & service vouchers in terms of stimulus. Its a sound program from that perspective (and does encourage private spending too). Im just curious about perception of others.

I think it should be approved, but I have very, very little faith in the ability of the US Senate to find their plate with their fork.

When I read that, I honestly couldn't tell if he was talking about the program or the economy's recovery.
It reminds me of all the accusations that the shrub made of "playing politics" with important issues. Only this time for real.

My memory is that many Dems went along with whatever the guy wanted.

the program.. it was a raging success here, which surprised me.

Oh yeah, they'll fund it.

returned home without funding this popular program.