December 11, 2008
WMUR-TV
CONCORD, N.H. — Both New Hampshire representatives have voted for the $14 billion auto industry rescue bill, saying it was needed to protect 12,000 state jobs.
Rep. Carol Shea-Porter said she is disappointed with the auto industry’s management decisions in the past 30 years, but believes immediate action must be taken. Rep. Paul Hodes said he hopes the plan will encourage car makers to work on a long-term plan to revitalize the industry.
Both Hodes and Shea-Porter opposed the $700 billion Wall Street bailout plan. In statements released Wednesday, they said they supported the auto rescue plan because it included strict oversight that other plans have lacked.
The plan passed the House on Wednesday, but is expected to meet strong opposition from Senate Republicans.
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It was probably more likely that this move was a payoff to the auto industry unions to save Porter and Hodes THEIR jobs in Congress rather than to save the jobs of the workers.