McConnell: ‘Cash for clunkers’ will be completed this week

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said he would be working with Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) to bring to a vote legislation that would extend the cash-for-clunkers program before the August recess.

The $2 billion extension of the program, which provides $4,000 to $6,000 to car buyers who trade in older vehicles, passed easily through the House on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after a policy luncheon with his fellow GOP senators, McConnell suggested the issue will be “completed before the end of the week.” When asked to clarify if he meant the Senate would vote to extend the program, he declined to say.

McConnell said before the bill comes up for a vote, “There are a series of amendments that I think our members think would improve the proposal. And I’d rather not speak for them on it.”

Senate Democratic colleagues skipped their usual caucus luncheon to dine at the White House. President Obama planned to urge his guests to extend the trade-in program, his spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters on Tuesday morning.

–Kiera McCaffrey