U.S. senator seeks to strip auto sales plan from war bill

WASHINGTON, June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Judd Gregg said on Wednesday he would try to strip a $1 billion proposal designed to spur auto sales from a war spending bill, a proposal automakers have lobbied hard for Congress to approve.

"It passes on new debt. Why would we do that?" Gregg asked in a floor speech during which he called the proposal a good idea but misplaced in the larger appropriations measure to continue funding of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gregg said he would offer a challenge "at the appropriate time." The Senate is considering final passage of the legislation this week. (Reporting by John Crawley)