Senate rejects Cash-for-Clunkers aid to charities and poor

On Thursday Sen. Tom Coburn, MD (R-OK) offered a proposal to allow traded-in Cash-for-Clunkers cars to be used to assist charities and poor families. To many of us, this amendment to the program seemed like a win-win-win situation.

But those of us who thought this amendment just made sense were wrong.

Via Michelle Malkin

SA 2304. Mr. COBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 3435, making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:

SECTION __X. ASSISTANCE TO CHARITIES AND FAMILIES IN NEED.
Section 1302 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2009 (Public Law 111-32; 123 Stat. 1909; 49 U.S.C. 32901 note) is amended–
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by inserting “or for donation to a charity”; and
(2) in subsection (c)(2)–
(A) in subparagraph (A), strike “For each” and insert “Except as provided in subparagraph (C), for each”;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (B) the following:
“(C) DONATION TO CHARITY.–For each eligible trade-in vehicle surrendered to a dealer under the Program, the dealer may dispose of such vehicle by donating such vehicle to–
“(i) an organization that–
“(I) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code, including educational institutions, health care providers, and housing assistance providers described in such section; and
“(II) certifies to the Secretary that the donated vehicle will be used by the organization to further its exempt purpose or function, including to provide transportation of individuals for health care services, education, employment, general use, or other purpose relating to the provision of assistance to those in need, including sales to raise financial support for the organization; or
“(ii) a family that does not have sufficient income to afford, but can demonstrate a need for, an automobile.”

Who could be against such an amendment? 56 Senators who torpedoed Sen. Coburn’s proposal. Here’s the breakdown:

Vote on Colburn Amendment, Cash for Clunkers 8/6/09
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Meanwhile: Senate clears $2 billion “clunkers” extension.

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