The White House and the Congressional Democrats have reached an agreement in principle on a draft 15-billion-dollar government loan plan to bail out the country's crippled auto industry from bankruptcy, US media reported on Tuesday evening.
With the "conceptual agreement" in place, the plan could see a vote as early as Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. While giving out the cash, it will also create a government "car czar", to be named by President George W. Bush, to oversee the bailout package and a major auto industry restructuring.
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Factory employees are seen working in the plant of General Motors in the city of Silao, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico in this November 25, 2008 file photo. [Xinhua/Reuters] |
However, the report, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the measure is not final and could still face obstacles from the Congressional Republicans, who have not yet approved it.
Jennifer Granholm, governor of Michigan, told CNN that she also heard about the "conceptual agreement", a result of days of negotiations between the White House and the Congressional Democrats.
If the bailout package could be put to vote in Congress and get passed, it will be great news for American auto workers and the people of Michigan, said the governor in a tone of excitement.
The package will benefit the so-called auto Big-3, namely General Motors Corp., Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co., all based in Detroit, Michigan.
(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2008)
