Yes, they're trying to bring back that small allowance.  It was $300 / $600 a few years ago, I think the proposal now is $500 / $1,000.  As I recall, it didn't apply to noncash, so donations of used items didn't count.  The deduction for interest on a "new American car" loan is maximum $10,000, even for those who don't itemize, so that is a fair reflection of American values.