×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 887
Archived News

Not a fan of bailouts, Shuler drives a hard bargain

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, said he is unsure if he will support a bailout of the auto industry.

The auto industry over the years has made poor decisions that led to its current situation, Shuler said.

Shuler wonders why the companies didn’t come up with a better business plan years ago rather than waiting until they were in financial trouble.

In an interview Monday, Shuler said he hasn’t seen any specific legislation to rescue GM, Ford and Chrysler.

“I want to see what the legislation says,” said Shuler. He expects legislation to come before the Senate and House this week.

He is reluctant to support a bailout unless the auto industry restructures and comes up with a new business plan. When the companies came before Congress asking for $25 billion two weeks ago, they were told to come back with a plan of how the loan would be used. But now they have only come back with a larger request for $34 billion, Shuler said.

Shuler twice voted against the $700 billion Wall Street bailout for financial institutions because he didn’t trust the money would go to good use. Shuler said his skepticism proved accurate, citing the use of bailout money by AIG for a party.

He said none of that money has gone to “Main Street.” Shuler wants the financial institutions to lend some of their bailout money to the auto companies. He said he finds it ironic that the banks won’t loan that money.

Western North Carolina auto dealerships are hoping Shuler will support the bailout, saying their livelihood depends on it. But Shuler said none of the money in the proposed bailout is intended to go to the dealers.

“This doesn’t have any impact on the dealers,” Shuler said. “It’s not going to them directly.”

The dealers, however, say that their future depends on the Big Three avoiding bankruptcy. Thousands of other jobs connected the auto industry could also be in jeopardy if the bailout fails.

Shuler agreed that the most important thing is that jobs be saved, but said he opposes writing the auto industry a blank check.

To comment on this story, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.