House Approves Auto Aid; Senate Prospects Are Iffy

The House tonight passed a $14 billion rescue plan for GM and Chrysler, but the measure's fate in the Senate remains uncertain, the New York Times reports. The bill passed 237-170, largely along party lines. Republicans in the Senate have vowed to block or at least delay its progress because they want more concessions from the UAW and automakers.

“I intend to talk to the American people about it from the Senate floor,” said the GOP's Richard Shelby of Alabama. Vice President Dick Cheney and White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten tried unsuccessfully to sway skeptical Republicans in a meeting today. "I think they had less support when they left than when they came in," said Bob Corker of Tennessee. (More Congress stories.)