Dem Leaders Say OK to Auto Bailout Plan

(NEWSER) - The defeat of the Detroit bailout bill by Senate Republicans is seen by some in Washington as a preemptive strike against organized labor, the Los Angeles Times reports. The GOP framed their opposition partly as a message to the United Auto Workers, claiming high wages were the cause of Detroit’s troubles. Many nay votes came from Senators in right-to-work states in the South and West. More»

Yes, there will be pain, but saving irresponsible companies bad for US future

(NEWSER) - Given the failure of the Wall Street bailout, to think doing the same for Detroit would help the auto industry and America in the long run is fantasy, Kevin O’Brien writes in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The only thing that will help is to feel the pain. “No more bailouts,” O’Brien writes. “Not for private industries. Not for states. Not for cities. Not for school districts.” More»

Bush supports some aid, but it must be done his way, he warns Dems

(AP) - Using the word "recession" for the first time to describe the US economy, President Bush today demanded that Congress adopt his approach to an auto bailout and require car companies to pay back any federal aid. But he displayed skepticism about the wisdom of new aid, saying he is concerned that some of Detroit's Big Three automakers may not survive. More»

CEOs to make their case to the House tomorrow

(NEWSER) - The CEOs of the Big Three wrapped up a six-hour session with the Senate Banking Committee during which they asked for a minimum of $34 billion in aid, the Washington Post reports. Chairman Chris Dodd vowed to draft a bill “in the next 24-48 hours" that stood a chance of passing both houses and ducking a Bush veto. The execs face the House Financial Services Committee tomorrow. More»

Automaker bring different bailout concerns in appeal for federal aid

(NEWSER) - When the automakers return to Congress this week to beg for a federal bailout, they’ll no longer be presenting one case among them. Each company will unveil its own rejuvenation plan, reports the New York Times. Ford, in best financial shape, wants only the promise of access to federal funds; General Motors and Chrysler need near-immediate infusions. More»