In Congress, 535 New GM Boardmembers

Senate likely tomorrow; GOP has harsh words

(NEWSER) - The House is ready to vote on a $15 billion bill to rescue GM and Chrysler as early as this afternoon, the Detroit News reports. The Senate, meanwhile, is likely to vote tomorrow morning. “My understanding is it is done, but the piece of paper is not before the Senate,” says Harry Reid. But Republicans are threatening to gum up the works. More»

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»

Hearings 'more hostile than expected,' says Wagoner

(NEWSER) - Two grueling days of congressional hearings on a bailout for the auto industry were "hostile" and the wait for an answer is "nerve-wracking," General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner told the Detroit News yesterday. GM is ready now to show Congress detailed restructuring plans to convince lawmakers to hand over billions in aid. Legislators are requiring plans from each of the Big Three automakers before they'll agree to a rescue package. 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) - Nancy Pelosi plans to convene a lame-duck House session to vote on an expanded rescue of the auto industry, the Wall Street Journal reports. “I am confident Congress can consider emergency assistance legislation next week,” the House Speaker said. Both GM and Ford have said they are cash poor, even after the $25 billion in government loan they received prior to the election. More»