Officials Try to Refuel 'Cash for Clunkers'

July 30, 2009 — -- Officials are reportedly working to keep the government's popular "cash for clunkers" program going amid reports its success may have caused it to run out of money within a week.

"We are working tonight to assess the situation facing what isobviously an incredibly popular program," White House presssecretary Robert Gibbs said of what is officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System, according to The Associated Press.

"Auto dealers and consumers should have confidence that all validCARS transactions that have taken place to date will be honored," Gibbs said.

Members of Congress had been told about the possibility of suspending the popular program, perhaps by early Friday, sources told ABC News, because it was believed consumers had already applied for the $1 billion credit in the program's budget.

The exact amount claimed since the program began last Friday was not immediately clear amid reports of paperwork backlogs.

"This was a very successful program, maybe even too successful," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a prepared statement this evening. "The program should continue, but perhaps with a tuneup so that we get the most stimulus, conservation and efficiency for the buck."

Auto dealers have reported the program was jump-starting business slowed by the recession. Thousands of Americans have been taking advantage of the program, which was to end when the funding ran out.

The National Automotive Dealers Association said the group did not yet have official confirmation that "Cash for Clunkers" was ending, "but if the program is indeed suspended, NADA will continue to work with the Department of Transportation to emphasize the importance that every dealer is reimbursed for a valid deal," the group said in a statement. "We will also work with the Obama administration and members of Congress to meet the demonstrated consumer interest in the "Cash for Clunkers" program."

In a joint statement, Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, argued it might be possible to revive the program, but that new vehicles under the plan should face tougher standards.

"The extraordinary reaction to the 'Cash for Clunkers' program demonstrates that consumers do want to purchase more fuel efficient, less polluting vehicles," they said.

"We will insist than any extension of the program requires that the minimum fuel economy improvement for newly purchased vehicles be at least two miles per gallon higher than it is under the enacted clunkers program," they added. "It is also important to include lower-income consumers who are disadvantaged under the current program. So, we would also include a voucher for the purchase of fuel-efficient used vehicles."