"Big Three" make bailout
pleas to House

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NBC) - On Capitol Hill Wednesday, a rescue plan for the nation's automakers may be stalled. Chief executives of the "Big Three" will be back for another grilling, this time by House lawmakers, but they appear to face an uphill fight.

There is enough skepticism on Capitol Hill that lawmakers are reluctant to rush any new help through, especially when executives of the "Big Three" could not guarantee senators they would not be asking for more help later. Carmakers went to Congress hanging the broader economy on their pleas for help.

"This is all about a lot more than just Detroit," said General Motors CEO Richard Wagoner. "It's about saving the U.S. economy from a catastrophic collapse."

Yet, it was clear afterward even their best arguments did not win new support

"The downward spiral in the auto industry is unprecedented and one of the things we wanted to share with the committee," said Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli.

Senate Democrats want carmakers to submit new business plans, build more fuel-efficient cars and suspend executive bonuses.

"We need a business model based on the cars of the future," said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.

Yet, many lawmakers were not buying.

"The proposals coming before the Senate Wednesday is not a serious one," said Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky. "Much like the other bailouts, it is virtually a blank check."

Many Republicans and the White House want to speed up industry access to the $25 billion in loans lawmakers passed this fall.

"So it seems prudent to me, and reasonable and sensible, to move forward to amend the bill that's already in place," said White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

Democrats said that money is tagged for ecofriendly vehicles and do not want it diverted. Bankruptcy may be around the corner.

"We just can't be confident that we will be able to successfully emerge from bankruptcy," said Nardelli.

Some critics point to airlines who have filed and come out stronger and leaner. They said a bankruptcy in the "Big Three" could be a blessing. That shows the level of sympathy on Capitol Hill as automakers take their case to House lawmakers Wednesday. Democrat Max Baucus of Montana said he smelled a flameout, at least on striking a deal this week.