, they don't look at what the salaries of those ceos at nissan and 20 ruda are making. their salaries are not in line with the salaries of the american auto industry executives in this country. they are not. and nobody that i have heard -- mabey av weeks i haven't heard -- i confess nobody has indicated in any way that we need to make sure that the salaries of the auto executives in this country are in line with although executives and other countries. it's just not being made. now at some point we have just got to fess up and say we've got business to take care of and take care of the business that we must take care of. if we don't do this, this is our our work, this is our moment, our time to do what's right. not to try to manage this. not to try to make sure we do this thing right but do the right thing. that's what we've got to try to do here. so i am not for taking control of the company. i don't want to see stockholders, micromanage a company. i'm not interested in that. but i contend the chairman is right when he talks about how we have promoted excessive risk wi

nissan announced this week it's going to build electric cars not in japan, but in smyrna, tennessee. that's because we trade with the world. this creeping protectionism we see is a threat to the middle-class budget of every american. senator johanns has made an important step toward keeping that. let me talk about another threat to the middle-class families' budget, and that is health insurance. how do we pay for health care? and i don't have to explain to anyone who might be listening or reading these remarks that health care for most americans is a cost that is difficult to afford. it's difficult for most small businesses. we have many large businesses who are having a difficult time competing in the world marketplace because of health care costs. some, we think of the auto industry in detroit, has claimed that the legacy costs of health care have put them out of business, unable to compete even with car companies that locate in the united states and make cars here, employing american workers. so we on the republican side, like our friends on the democratic side, want health care r

extensive dealer network in the country, more than any of our competitors, including toyota, honda, nissan, ford and chrysler. to conclude, this is one of the most difficult and painful times in gm's history. but we see a path to a better future, where gm -- where at gm we not only survive but thrive. we want our employees, communities and especially our dealers to thrive with us. we are grateful for your support during this critical time. we understand our responsibility to the american taxpayer and we take that very seriously. a new gm will contribute to america's economic strength and competitiveness and this, of course, starts and ends with great cars and trucks and great dealers. thank you very much. >> thank you, sir. finally, mr. john mceleney, chairman of the national automobile dealers association. >> thank you, mr. chairman. mr. chairman, senator hutchison, i am chairman of nada and the national automobile dealers association. i am also an automobile dealer. my dealership is mcelenen center in clinton, ohio. we have actually been in business 95 years. we provide jobs for 140 peop

i reminded our british friends that a few weeks before, i was at the nissan pavilion of onstage stopping in singing with toby kieith singing "whiskey for my men and fear for my horses -- beer for my horses." [laughter] i ended my remarks by saying there are some fundamental differences. most states have the death penalty and most americans go to church every sunday. both of those things, for better or worse, distinguished guests from many of our european friends. -- distinguish us from many of our european friends. there are things that you should be proud about that not arrogant about. you are citizens of the world's only superpower. i guess we have earned that by our political and economic system. in reality, the superpower status is not something to be earned. it is a duty. it is a duty to be carried to the best of our ability. when it is not our turn some day, we can put that burden down. we can hope that the rest of the people on the planet will believe that we carried out that do fairly well. i can recall when we were drawing down our forces in germany after the fall of the wall. a

which proposed requiring the employees of ford, gm and chrysler to compensation or nearly the same as nissan and volkswagen. it seems to me those who would sponsor this kind of legislation would find it in their heart to see if we can look into the type of legislation we are considering today. i have evidence of h.r. five which passed the house and 2005 which would have placed a cap on the percentage of damages lawyers can receive it would have kept them at 15% of the any fees over $600,000, lot of money, not nearly what others are making however. and it seems to me that if we can kappa or try to cap the fees of lawyers who represent consumers we can also look at lawyers represent corporations. those in who are not here today i just believe they want this said because there are people who are suffering who have had their salaries cut who work in the auto industry and these are people who are now getting bonuses they believe to buy second and third homes or to buy additional cars. what they lost less money for education, money to pay house notes, money to sustain themselves and i find quite f

states don't, we have one of the best four-lane highway systems and others don't spiritoso that is why nissan has been the most efficient auto plant in america many times while volkswagen chose tennessee and i think the spring hill plant of gm will be successful. >> you would support legislation that would china and the government attack those jobs?ç >> no, you can't run a country that way, that is the direction we're headed, to go theç other way and say let the free market work, get the stock at a washington so everybody could try to run theç car companies. >> and maybe more efficient for gm to downsize their headquarters or in is easier to do business but the president is on with the phone saying we're going to be the headquarters in detroit and that is exactly the kind of political decision that has no place in the running of the company for the value of the stockholders. >> the unemployment numbers coming out tomorrow, are you encouraged by that and what you think we're going to see. >> i don't think -- i won't try to forecast what we will see tomorrow. in the unemployment problem i

states don't ago we have one of the best for lane highway systems and other states, so that is why nissan has been the most efficient auto plant in america and many times, way of volkswagon show's tennessean the springhill plant of gm will be successful. >> would support any legislation that would try and commit the government to protect american jobs? >> no, you can't run a country that way. that is the direction we are headed. i am trying to go the other way. i am trying to say let the free market or can get the stock out of washington so everyone in washington "to run the car companies. >> it may be more efficient for gm to downsize their headquarters but the president is quickly on the phone with the mayor of detroit saying, don't worry we are going to keep the headquarters there in detroit. that is exactly the kind of political decision that has no place in the running of the company for the value of the stockholders. >> on jobs-- we have seen steady drops in claim numbers but also, no one are you and wheatridge by that and what you think we are going to see? >> i want try to forecas

supply chain goes down, even if you didn't have a view of saving gm and chrysler you have for, honda and nissan connected to the same group. we are deeply aware of the into connectivity of this and we are monitoring it closely. we believe it can hold together the we are very mindful of that. the fourth question is one we have looked at carefully. we believe that ford is a good and competitive company, we believe it will be able to survive and thrive. we are in constant dialogue with them. it is a decision not to participate in this program but that is their choice. >> thank you,. >> senator johanns. >> mr. bloom, references made in the previous question about intervention from congressman barney frank. you can see why that leads to sell much suspicion even among members of this panel. i don't have that kind of power, dealerships imposed in the state of nebraska. were you aware of that? did the ceo or somebody call you and say what do i do with this? barnard frank what this facility left open? >> we were not. >> did you learn about it after the fact? >> i learned about it the same way you learne

., nissan motor co. nissantesla, the first under a $25 billion program to spur fuel efficient vehicle production in the u.s., according to people familiar with the decision beard we are asking questions about the economy and some indication that the mixed signals. give us a call or send an e- mail, journal@c-span.org, you can give us a sweet or give us a call. one of the photographs we want to show you is from inside "the n.y. daily news." secretary of state hillary clinton is back to work sporting what they call a big cast and a slang, following surgery or a broken arrow -- elbow. last week she slipped and had undergone surgery. the injury suffered last wednesday forcing hillary clinton to cancel plans to attend a series of international meetings in italy and greece later this week. meanwhile, inside " the wall street -- the "the wall street journal" is a piece about independence warming -- warning for obama. the canaries in the coal mine are independent voters, telling the leader whether the air is saf

points out that the obama administration is set to announce retooling loans for ford motor company, nissan motor company and tesla motors, the first under a $25 million program to spur fuel-efficient vehicles in the u.s. we're asking the question about the economy and some of the headlines indicating there are some mixed signals. give us a call or -- >> washington journal is live every day at 7 a.m. eastern. we're going to leave this recorded segment as the u.s. senate's gaveling back in. possible this afternoon work on 2010 legislative branch spending. safety rapid response act of 2009. i do this in conjunction with my colleague from the state of minnesota, senator klobuchar. and i want to recognize her for strong leadership on this. she and i are both members on the senate committee on agriculture, nutrition and forestry. on that commission, she's been extremely active. on this particular issue, we've had the opportunity to dialogue on any number of occasions. and thanks to her cooperation, her leadership, we have developed and are cosponsoring the food safety rapid response act of 2009,

we have low taxes, one of the best four-lane highway systems, so that's why nissan has been the most efficient auto plant in america and while volkswagen chose tennessee and why the spring hill plant of gm will be successful. >> [inaudible] >> you cannot run the country that way. that's the direction we're headed. i am trying to go the other way. i'm trying to say get the stock out of washington so everyone in washington with trying to run the car companies. >> it may be more efficient for gm to downsize the headquarters, but the president is quickly on the phone with the mayor of detroit, saying don't worry, we will keep headquarters in detroit. that's the kind of political decision that has no place in the running of the company for the value of the stockholders. >> [inaudible] >> i will try to forecast what we're going to see tomorrow. the unemployment problem is a serious one and is a tragic one for those people have lost their jobs. i say that as one who has lost my job at various points in my career and as one who has seen my son lose his job in the financial crisis. it is a ti

nissan, 43%. so there is an effort to make sure there is effective restructuring for the domestic industry. we have to work on the demand side. and this, today, answers that need. a voucher for consumers worth $3,500 to $4500 to pay for fuel-efficient cars and trucks. it will incentivize one million car and truck purchases. anyone who votes no on this supplemental is voting no on this provision. and that would be a serious mistake. it is critical that this nation retain a strong domestic auto industry. and this effort on the demand side is a critical piece of that effort. i ask for an additional minute. mr. arcuri: i yield to the gentleman an additional minute. mr. levin: this is not an easy effort and there have been different ways to go about it. and i simply want to say to those who have been in the lead and especially to representative sutton, this would not have happened without the dedication of herself and others who have been determined that there be continued in this country a strong dome

when the supply chain goes down, you have ford and honda and nissan and connected to the same suppliers. we are deeply aware of the interconnected the of this and we are monitoring it closely. the fourth question is one that, again, we have looked at carefully. we have -- we believe that ford is a good and competitive company. we believe that they will be able to survive and thrive as the economy turns around, but obviously, we are in constant dialogue with them during i have also -- i would also say that they have chosen affirmatively not to participate in this program and that is their choice, but that was their choice. >> the center johns. >> thank you, mr. chairman. mr. bloom, reference was made in a previous question about barney frank. you can see why that leads to some much suspicion back home and even amongst members of this panel. i do not have that kind of power, and yet, dealerships were closed in the state of nebraska. were you aware of that? did the ceo or somebody call you and say, wow, what do i do with this?(%Ñbarney frank has ce this facility left open? >> no, sir, i h

requiring the employees of ford, gm and chrysler to receive the same compensation, or nearly the same, as nissan and volkswagen. it just seems to me that those who would sponsor this kind of legislation would find it in their hearts to see that we can look into the type of legislation that we are considering today. i have evidence of hr five, which passed the house in 2005, which would have placed a cap on the percentage of damages that lawyers can receive that would have capped them at the 15% of any fees over $600,000. a lot of money. not nearly as much as what some others are making, however. and it just seems to me that if we can cap or try to cap, and cap the fees of lawyers who represent consumers, we can also look at lawyers who represent corporations. those who are not here today, i just believe they want is said, because there are people who are suffering, who have had their salaries cut, who worked in the auto industry. and these are people who are not getting honors is that they could buy second or third homes or buy additional cars. what they lost was money for education, money to pa

we have one of the best four-lane highway systems and other states don't so that is why nissan has been the most efficient auto plant in america many times, why volkswagon chose tennessee and why the springhill plant of tennessee will be successful. >> would not support any legislation that would try to make the government-- [inaudible] >> no, you can't run the country that way. that is the direction we are headed. i am trying to say let the free market work, get the stock of washington so everyone in washington could try to run the car company. >> it may be more efficient for gm to downsize their headquarters and move someplace else but the president is quickly on the phone with the mayor of detroit saying don't worry, we are going to keep the headquarters there in detroit. that is exactly the kind of political system that has no business and running the company for the value of the stockholders. >> we are seeing steady drops in claim numbers but also-- are you encourage by that and what you think we are going to see tomorrow? >> i want try to forecast what we are going to see tomorrow

one thing to argue to general motors to put the state your name plant in tennessee right next to the nissan plant. that was an arm's length transaction. it's quite another thing for me as united states senator and a member of the government, that on 60% of the company to urge g.m. executives to build cars in my state. i can pretend i'm making my case on the merits -- central location, right to work laws, four-lane highways, hundreds of suppliers, low taxes, a successful japanese competitor 40 miles away, a german company that's picked tennessee to make its north american cars. but my incestuous relationship as owner taints the whole affair. so i will continue to confer car czar awards seeking to end the incestuous nature of these meetings and time-waving hearings until congress and the president enact my auto stock for every taxpayer legislation which would distribute the government stock in general motors and chrysler to the 120 million americans who pay taxes on a april 15. such a stock distribution is the fastest way to get ownership of the auto companies out of the hands of me tkelg was

they are located between toyota and nissan on the road near the mall of america, 150,000 cars a day. one of the most profitable dealers in minnesota. yet this is one, they're appealing, that has been decided to be closed down. i just want to have you remember that image in your mind. my second question really is of you, mr. press. you don't have any kind of appeals process. is there any way you can institute an appeals process? at chrysler? >> our case may be different. i'm not familiar with general motors. what we've done is created a new company that will be formed at the end of this process and the dealers that will be in that new company have been identified from all of the dealers that were with the old company. in regards to that, we have a limited period of time from when the bankruptcy was filed to when the new company has to be finalized. if we do not have a finalized dealer organization, the new company will not be formed and the company will have to liquidate. we also, in terms of the process, the strategic market representation actions, the consolidation of single brands,