White House blasts Congress for taking recess before addressing

Democrats in Congress are telling the Big Three automakers exactly what the lawmakers are looking for, before they’ll consider giving them a $25 billion lifeline.
   
They’re drafting a letter asking for specific information about how federal loans will help the companies survive.
   
The White House, meanwhile, is criticizing the Democrats for letting the issue linger while they take a congressional recess.
   
Press secretary Dana Perino says it’s “appalling” that lawmakers have decided to leave town without addressing the problems facing automakers.
   
Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said they would not put an auto bailout plan up for consideration until Detroit’s Big Three offer a business plan showing how they would use federal aid to fix their companies. They did say lawmakers could come back in December to hold hearings and consider a bill, but only if the industry shows that taxpayers and auto workers would be protected.