DETROIT, July 27 (UPI) -- A hearing set to review the government's $80 billion rescue of U.S. automakers has one conspicuous party absent, the UAW, a congressman said.
Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, a member of the Congressional Oversight Panel, said it was "outrageous," that the United Auto Workers would "benefit from taxpayers' money and then refuse to testify about it," The Detroit News reported Monday.
The panel, led by Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren, was to hear testimony Monday from the treasurers of General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC and from White House automotive consultant Ron Bloom.
Hensarling, who has urged the panel to include the UAW in its inquiry, said the union "came before Congress and pleaded for billions of taxpayer assistance. Their ownership stakes in Chrysler and GM look suspicious at best and like sweetheart deals at worst."
UAW legislative director Alan Reuther did not return a call for comment, the newspaper said.
