For Immediate Release: July 14, 2009

Representative Betty Sutton Rallies for Passage of the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009

Legislation will restore the economic rights of automobile dealers in order to protect jobs, workers and small business owners.

Washington, D.C. - This morning, Rep. Betty Sutton joined House and Senate leadership along with other colleagues in the House to rally for the need for passage of the Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act of 2009. More than 100 auto dealership owners attended the press conference, including Alan Spitzer of the Spitzer Auto Group. The legislation will restore the economic rights of automobile dealers in order to protect jobs, workers, and small business owners.

Including Spitzer, speakers from the auto industry included National Automobile Dealers Association Vice Chairman Ed Tonkin, Cascade Auto Group's Michelle Primm, and Jim Tarbox of Tarbox Motors of Rhode Island.

"These are small, family-owned businesses involved in communities throughout the country," Rep. Sutton Said. "It makes no sense to force closure of profitable businesses that employ thousands of people."

The Automobile Dealer Economic Rights Restoration Act will restore the economic rights of General Motors (GM) and Chrysler car dealers as they existed prior to each company's bankruptcies. The Act will also require GM and Chrysler to reinstate franchise agreements in effect prior to each company's bankruptcies and preserves car dealers' rights to recourse under state law.

Language was included in the FY2010 bill, which is scheduled to be on the House floor this week.

"Auto dealers - you matter," Rep. Sutton said. "You are not alone, you are more than a statistic, your voice is being heard, and we will fight for you."

WHO:            
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)              Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA)           Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY)                        Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD)
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)              Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)
Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH)                     Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-OH)
More than 100 Auto Dealership Owners

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Contact: Maureen Shanahan at 202-225-3401 or maureen.shanahan@mail.house.gov