Congress to automakers: Give us a plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. automakers must spell out to Congress how it would spend any bailout funds they are awarded, Democratic leaders said Thursday.

Accountability and viability are key for any congressional consideration to help automakers, their workers and ancillary business partnerships, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said during a news conference Thursday.

He told automakers, "We need you to be part of what we're doing here" by detailing how they will use the funds and submitting their plans by Dec. 2.

The U.S. Senate would take up the plans the week of Dec. 8, Reid said, indicating that lawmakers won't consider an auto bailout plan before adjourning for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"We don't even know how much money they need," he said.

Automakers, union officials and industry analysts said bankruptcy was a real possibility if the automakers didn't receive some government help soon.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said the leadership's position "is our response to those who say, 'Let them go' then we'll deal with it," referring to some who argue that the companies should be allowed to fail.

However, Pelosi said, there must be a "path to viability" and accountability before there's any movement on a bailout question.

"(Until) they show us the plan, we cannot show them the money," she said.

"We want them to get their act together. we want them to come up with something," Reid said. "We are here to help. We are not against the auto industry. We want to help those people keep those jobs. ... But that will only happen if they get their act together."