The chairman of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday called for an "emergency financial assistance and limited" for the automotive industry, which would be completed within a few days.
Five days after the disastrous financial results announced by General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., Pelosi endorsed a bill that would facilitate the inclusion of automotive companies in the financial rescue of 700,000 dollars approved by Congress in October.
In a written statement, the Democratic Representative from California said that the aid is necessary "to avoid the bankruptcy of one or more of the major U.S. manufacturers of automotive companies, which would have a devastating impact on our economy, especially among men and women working in that industry. "
"The Congress and the government (of President George W.) Bush must take immediate action," the lawmaker added.
The situation of the industry attracted the attention of the White House and the president-elect Barack Obama, as well as legislators.
Last week, Obama pressed the Bush administration to help the industry, and on Monday discussed with the president during his visit to the presidential mansion.
People familiar with the conversation said the president responded that he is willing to listen to suggestions.
Prior to postpone its sessions in the face of the elections for the presidency, Congress passed a law intended to 25,000 million dollars in loans guaranteed by the government to automotive companies, in order to produce more efficient vehicles.
Since then, the executive branch and the leaders of the United Autoworkers union (United Workers) requested additional funds to avoid the possible bankruptcy of one of the basic industries of the United States, including an additional $ 50 million to cover the payment of medical insurance Some 780,000 retirees and their families.
GM and Ford said last week that the two spent their cash reserves of 14,600 million dollars in the past three months. Ford said it will eliminate more than 2,000 jobs of its employees.
The statement from Pelosi did not mention the amount that must include the aid plan.
A similar article can be found at AP