House Republicans to join bailout talks

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans say they’re sending a top leader to renewed negotiations on President Bush’s 700 billion-dollar plan to bail out the financial industry.

Congressman Roy Blunt of Missouri will attend the talks with key lawmakers. That’s after the House GOP boycotted negotiations on an emerging bipartisan agreement, calling it unacceptable. Blunt is the number two House Republican.

John Boehner of Ohio, the House minority leader, released a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, demanding that “serious consideration” be given to a radically different proposal that provides no government money up front for a financial rescue.