Cash for Caulkers Bill – Home Star Bill Passes

Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the Cash for Caulkers bill. But the new economic stimulus bill has passed the House Thursday, 246-161. The Cash for Caulkers will give rebates for renovating homes with better insulation and energy-saving windows and doors.

The Home Star bill has come to be dubbed Cash for Caulkers, a takeoff on the popular 2009 Cash for Clunkers initiative that rewarded people for replacing gas-guzzling vehicles with more fuel-efficient models.

Supporters estimate that 3 million households would make use of the new program, saving $9.2 billion in energy costs over a 10-year period. They said it would create 168,000 jobs, mainly in the recession-hit construction industry.

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