It appears that Republican senators are content with letting GM and chrysler go bankrupt.  What a huge mistake.  This is the part I don't understand:  Some prominent Republicans, including Mitch McConnell, helped pass the original $700 billion bailout, but are opposed to using $14 billion of that to aid the auto industry.  14 Billion amounts to 2% of 700 billion.  Congress is not trying to pass legislation asking for an additional $14 billion, they are simply trying to allocate a small percent of the original bailout to keep GM and chrysler afloat.  In addition, both these companies would be forced to restructure under the current bill and would be forced into bankrupcy in 3 months if they do not.  It has been well established that the collapse of the american auto industry could potentially affect millions of american jobs.  There is no better opportunity to save that many jobs with that little money than to aid GM and chrysler.  This is the only part of the deal that scares me:

The plan would create a government "car czar," to be named by President George W. Bush to dole out the loans, with the power to force the carmakers into bankruptcy next spring if they didn't cut quick deals with labor unions, creditors and others to restructure their businesses and become viable.

      I personally don't think we need a lame duck president appointing a "car czar" with that much athourity over the auto bailout.  Essentially, He could appoint someone with close ties to GM that would have ultimate athourity to do as he pleases.  That would be typical government, but could spell disaster.  That is however unlikely to happen.  Knowing George W., he will probably appoint one of his buddies from Texas.  I guess that is the least of everyones concerns right now.  Step one, pass auto bailout.