By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

In a stunning waste of taxpayer money, the U.S. House Friday approved a $2 billion extension of the Cash for Clunkers program.

The House acted because buyers had flooded the market to get up to $4,500 from the government for trading in their clunkers under the original $1 billion program.

On Friday Congress had a chance to ratchet back that taxpayer subsidy.

Given the initial enthusiastic reaction to the plan, the House could and should have slashed government funding for taking older, fuel-inefficient cars off the hands of motorists. Instead of $4,500, for instance, make it $2,000 -- still a sizable and attractive carrot to get people into auto showrooms.

But the House extended the program, with the unfortunate support of President Barack Obama. Senate action is expected next week.