U.S. Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky is among the Capitol Hill lawmakers opposed to agovernment bailout of the automotive industry.Bunning says the Big Three automakers need to prove they can become financially viable or else they'll soon be back in Washington asking for more money."Alternatively, I don't want to see people losing their jobs, and if I thought this bailout would have any chance of saving jobs in the long run, I would probably support it," Bunning told reporters this morning.Bunning says there are other ways Congress can help the auto industry, such as offering tax breaks for car buyers to stimulate sales.Bunning and his Senate colleague, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, both support a White House proposal that would redirect a $25 billion loan approved in September for immediate use. That money was supposed go toward the retooling of automotive plants.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.