Bush Signs Spending Bill, Gives OK to $25 Billion Auto Loans

On Tuesday, President George W. Bush lent his John Hancock to a $634 billion spending bill that includes the $25 billion low-interest government-backed loan guarantees that the domestics have all but been begging for. The loan is intended to provide the capital necessary for automakers to retool plants so that they may begin producing more advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles. The vehicles produced under these terms need to be at least 25 percent more fuel efficient than required by current industry mandates.

This support from the President, whose advisors were split on whether to back the bill, is arguably essential for the survival of GM, Ford, and Chrysler. It allows them to borrow at interest rates of around 5 percent, a comparatively affordable rate next to the 15-plus percent rates the beleaguered companies would face on the open market. The Detroit News claims that this governmental assistance "could save Detroit's Big Three more than $100 million per $1 billion borrowed."

Loan repayment terms are 25 years, with a five-year deferment. A $7.5 billion insurance cost for the loans and possible deferment was approved by Congress.

After commending Congress and the President for their action, GM spokesman Greg Martin made a rather convoluted statement that seems to be a gentle plea for more money down the road: "now, we need the rulemaking process to keep pace with the urgency in which we're developing new technologies." As we read it, "rulemaking process" = Federal purse-string oversight, and keeping pace "with the urgency in which we're developing new technologies" = giving domestic automakers more money if they need it for technology that's going to be all but required to meet new fuel economy regulations.

Brace yourselves, American taxpayers. And, Big Three, don't you dare spend our money on more SUVs.--Colin Mathews 2011 Chevrolet VoltEnlarge PhotoOn Tuesday, President George W. Bush lent his John Hancock to a $634 billion spending bill that includes the $25 billion low-interest government-backed loan guarantees that the domestics have all but been begging for. The loan is intended to provide the capital necessary for automakers to retool plants so that they may begin producing more advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles. The vehicles produced under these terms need to be at least 25 percent more fuel efficient than required by current industry mandates. This support from the President, whose advisors were split on whether to back the bill, is arguably essential for the survival of GM, Ford, and Chrysler. It allows them to borrow at interest rates of around 5 percent, a comparatively affordable rate next to the 15-plus percent rates the beleaguered companies would face on the open market. The Detroit News claims that this governmental assistance "could save Detroit's Big Three more than $100 million per $1 billion borrowed." Loan repayment terms are 25 years, with a five-year deferment. A $7.5 billion insurance cost for the loans and possible deferment was approved by Congress. After commending Congress and the President for their action, GM spokesman Greg Martin made a rather convoluted statement that seems to be a gentle plea for more money down the road: "now, we need the rulemaking process to keep pace with the urgency in which we're developing new technologies." As we read it, "rulemaking process" = Federal purse-string oversight, and keeping pace "with the urgency in which we're developing new technologies" = giving domestic automakers more money if they need it for technology that's going to be all but required to meet new fuel economy regulations. Brace yourselves, American taxpayers. And, Big Three, don't you dare spend our money on more SUVs.--Colin Mathews