|
|
Published November 16, 2008 10:49 pm - OKLAHOMA CITY — It appears Oklahoma’s congressional delegation has mixed opinions about a proposed bailout package for financially struggling U.S. automakers. Some of them caution that such an idea, along with a proposed second economic stimulus package, should not be forced through what figures to be a brief lame-duck session before the next Congress begins work. The delegation’s lone Democrat, Rep. Dan Boren of Muskogee, said he supports another economic stimulus package, but it appears few of his Oklahoma colleagues agree with him, at least for now.
Oklahoma delegation mixed on automaker aid
The Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — It appears Oklahoma’s congressional delegation has mixed opinions about a proposed bailout package for financially struggling U.S. automakers.
Some of them caution that such an idea, along with a proposed second economic stimulus package, should not be forced through what figures to be a brief lame-duck session before the next Congress begins work.
The delegation’s lone Democrat, Rep. Dan Boren of Muskogee, said he supports another economic stimulus package, but it appears few of his Oklahoma colleagues agree with him, at least for now.
“Throwing money at our waning economy though a second stimulus package alone will not solve anything,” U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas, a Republican from Cheyenne, told The Oklahoman’s Washington bureau.
Another Republican, newly re-elected Sen. Jim Inhofe, put it bluntly to the Tulsa World’s Washington bureau: “You don’t stimulate the economy by giving away more money.”
Inhofe also had harsh criticism for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s handling of $700 billion already approved by Congress to help bail out the nation’s beleaguered financial system. Inhofe suggested freezing what is left of the initial $350 billion in bailout money, although such a plan would seem to be a longshot.
Democratic leaders, including President-elect Barack Obama, want to use some of the $700 billion to aid the domestic auto industry. Boren said he supports “bridge loans ... to get them back on sound footing. There are millions of jobs connected to the Big Three (automakers).”
That one of those companies might fail is not a good enough reason to bail them out, Inhofe said.
“If we keep on nursing a broken system, then we can’t expect to have a different result come later on,” he said. “I just think we have to draw the line someplace, and the time is here.”
Rep. Tom Cole, a Republican from Moore, said that care should be taken not to rush through major legislation during the brief session.
“A lot of bad things happen in lame-duck sessions,” Cole said. “There’s not enough time and not enough focus.”
Fellow Republican Rep. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma City said that the nation has reached a point “where we have to make some very difficult decisions on what types of financial obligations we can actually afford.”
Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Tom Coburn of Muskogee said that instead of the Senate considering public lands bills that he has previously blocked, it “should devote its full attention to our economic crisis.”
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|

: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
ORTHOPAEDIC
Specialist of the Four States is currently accepting applications for the following postiions: Physical Therapist, Occcu...>MORE
See all ads |
|
VOLKSWAGEN, 1998 BEETLE,
black, 5 speed, looks, runs and drives great, only 84,000 miles, $3400. 417-621-0850....>MORE
See all ads |
|
NO CREDIT
needed qualify for 0 down Own completely remodeled 3/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, new front deck...>MORE
1995 16x72 2 BR, 2 BA,
fully furnished, all appliances, 1 owner, beautiful, smoke free, must move. $17,500. (417)423-2385....>MORE
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NO CREDIT NEEDED QUALIFY
for 0 down Own completely remodeled 2/2 16x80 single section manufacturered home, 2 acres, trees, corner lot, large deck...>MORE
See all ads |
|
10 YEAR OLD BUCKSKIN
mare, 14-hands, broke for anyone, $750; miniature Jack and bred Jenny, $400 pair. (417)434-3700....>MORE
1993 KUBOTA 1560
lawn tractor, 42” cut with bagger, $800. (417)364-8231....>MORE
TEA CUP
Chihuahua pup, female, shots, wormed. Information (417)843-2735...>MORE
CRAFTSMAN
radial 10” arm saw; skil saw 7 1/4”; Singer Featherweight machine; clocks/pocket watches; 7.62-54 rifle, accessories; Ca...>MORE
BASS BOAT, 2005
Lowe aluminum, 17’, 2005 90 hp Mercury, 2006 trailer, excellent shape, low hours. $7,500. (417)776-8846 evenings or 417-...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|