Bailout Wait 'Nerve-Wracking'

Senate Democrat enlisted to work on compromise package

(NEWSER) - Sen. Chris Dodd welcomed the Big Three CEOs back to the Senate Banking Committee today by declaring his support for an auto bailout, the AP reports. Chariman Dodd said inaction would be akin to playing “Russian Roulette with the economy.” He praised the automakers for making a better case for assistance than the financial industry, which won a $700 billion rescue plan. More»

Execs say that's 'way down the list,' but Detroit desperate for federal bailout

(NEWSER) - Bankruptcy is officially on the table for General Motors and Chrysler, a source tells Bloomberg. The companies may accept a pre-packaged bankruptcy, which would force the union and creditors to make concessions, in order to get government help. At least three congressmen have had their staffs explore the possibility. GM CEO Rick Wagoner has argued against bankruptcy, saying it would force the company to liquidate. More»

Directors differ with CEO Wagoner as automaker struggles

(NEWSER) - Some General Motors’ directors are willing to consider bankruptcy protection as an option for the failing automaker, the Wall Street Journal reports, marking an unusual disagreement with CEO Rick Wagoner. Wagoner told Congress repeatedly this week, in seeking an immediate financial bailout, that reorganizing through a Ch. 11 bankruptcy is not viable for his company. More»

Plan would repurpose $25B fuel-efficiency carrot already passed

(NEWSER) - Senate Republicans are crafting legislation that would repurpose an already-approved $25 billion Energy Department initiative to bail out struggling automakers, the Detroit News reports. The plan is at odds with Democratic efforts, which would use money from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout to help Detroit. The Energy money was originally intended to spur an increase in fuel efficiency. More»

(NEWSER) - The CEOs of the Big Three automakers told the Senate today that a $25 billion bailout of the industry is necessary to prevent "catastrophic" effects on the economy, the New York Times reports. “If the domestic industry were allowed to fail,” said GM's Rick Wagoner, it would mean “three million jobs lost within the first year.” Meanwhile, Chrysler's Robert Nardelli disclosed that his company, like GM, is on the verge of bankruptcy. More»