Texas Lawmakers Offer Little Support for Auto Industry Bailout
By BRIAN CURTIS
Updated 7:20 PM CST, Tue, Nov 18, 2008
Workers at the General Motors assembly plant in Arlington may be disappointed if they're counting on Texas lawmakers to come to their struggling company's rescue.
Republican senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, along with Rep. Joe Barton, are all skeptical of the Democrat-led plan to provide U.S. automakers with $25 billion in financial help.
"I cannot support providing an additional $25 billion for the auto industry," Hutchison said. "As an alternative, the Department of Energy should be allowed to expedite $25 billion in loans already designated for retooling the American auto industry."
"Like the vast majority of Americans, I support a strong, productive domestic auto industry... But also like most Americans who are concerned about the direction of our economy and more federal spending, I must also ask -- when is enough, enough?" Cornyn said in a statement.
"I know the GM Assembly Plant in Arlington employs a world-class workforce and is a driving force in the DFW area's economic engine," said Barton, who represents Arlington in the House of Representatives. "I am not going to turn my back on the working men and women of America. However, throwing billions of taxpayer dollars at an ailing industry won't necessarily cure the problem."
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck is one elected official fighting for a financial lifeline. He made a trip to Washington to press his case in person.
First Published: Nov 18, 2008 5:29 PM CST
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