House bill demands auto task force papers

WASHINGTON, July 17 (UPI) -- A House committee in Washington voted to launch an investigation of the government's role in shaping restructuring plans for General Motors and Chrysler.

A bill demanding Congress be granted a review of government documents related to the automakers bankruptcy plans was introduced by Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and adopted by the House Financial Services Committee, The Detroit News reported.

If the bill passes, the government would have 14 days to release all documents related to the Presidential Task Force on the Automotive Industry concerning its "negotiating, reviewing, approving ... plans for reorganization or restructuring" of the two auto giants.

The bill was also amended to include government intervention regarding bankrupt parts supplier Delphi Corp., the newspaper said.

Part of the investigation centers on car dealerships, especially pertaining to the selection process for choosing which of about 6,000 GM and Chrysler dealerships would have their contracts with the automakers terminated.

The bill specifically asks to look into "the president's role in determining any vehicle dealership closures and plant closings."