DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
August 7th 2009
Brian Benstock, of Paragon Honda in Queens, welcomes the new "Cash For Clunkers" extension
The Senate filled 'er up on Thursday night, voting 60-37 to top off the Cash for Clunkers program with an additional $2 billion.
That should keep the popular car-swap deals humming along well into September, depending how fast cars sell.
The news thrilled dealers, who have watched gleefully as consumers turned in gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs to take home fuel-sipping compacts and rebates up to $4,500.
"It's great news - this is exactly what the government was supposed to be doing," said Brian Benstock of Paragon Honda in Queens. "It's a spark that will help the entire economy."
The Senate passed the measure just before going home for a month-long vacation. The House okayed it last week.
Republicans opposed the extension, arguing it increases the deficit.
"This should be called the debt-for-clunkers bill," said Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).
The GOP also contended the 200,000 to 250,000 cars sold with the program's original $1 billion is only about 20,000 better than normal - meaning the boost cost Uncle Sam $45,000 per extra car sold.
Democrats countered that the auto market was way below normal in the recession, that the program was a lifeline for a struggling industry, and it is helping the environment.
Benstock said there's no danger of running out of customers - there's still millions of cars that qualify. "This will help everybody get to the party," he said.
