Legislation proposing a $14bn (£9.4bn) bail-out of the US car industry is expected to face a tough time when it is due to go before the Senate later.
Negotiations are going on in the US Senate to try to secure Republican backing for the $14bn (£9.4bn) US car industry bail-out bill.
While the House of Representatives backed the bill on Wednesday, there is no guarantee it will pass the Senate.
Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid said talks were progressing, and the Senate could vote later on Thursday.
The Democrat and White House-backed deal faces opposition from Senate Republicans, who say it is not strict enough on the "Big Three" car firms.
The House of Representatives passed the Democrat- and White House-backed bill on Wednesday, but the measure has faced opposition from Senate Republicans.
The Democrats only have a majority of one in the Senate.
Many have said it is not strict enough on the "Big Three" US car firms.
The Democrats need some Republicans to back the bill as they have a majority of just one in the Senate, and some in their own party are expected to vote against.
'Explaining work'
'Explaining work'
Despite continuing efforts by the White House to persuade Republican senators to back the bill, some are continuing to declare their opposition.
Despite continuing efforts by the White House to persuade Republican senators to back the bill, some are continuing to declare their opposition.
John Ensign, a Republican senator from Nevada told CNBC television that he would throw up a procedural roadblock to the bill unless changes were made.
John Ensign, a Republican senator from Nevada told CNBC television that he would throw up a procedural roadblock to the bill unless changes were made.
With one or two Democrats also opposing the bill, it will likely require support from some Republicans to secure Senate backing.
Any other senator who felt strongly enough could block the bill entirely by talking it out, with 60 votes needed to overcome such tactics.
And any Senator who felt strongly enough could block the bill entirely by talking it out, with 60 votes needed to overcome such tactics.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto told the Associated Press news agency that there was still "some explaining to be done" to gather support for the bill.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto told the AP news agency that there was still "some explaining to be done" to gather support for the bill.
President-elect Barack Obama said he was hopeful the bill would be passed.
President-elect Barack Obama said he was hopeful the bill would be passed.
Car tsar
Car tsar
General Motors and Chrysler say they risk ruin without immediate aid. Ford says it may need funds in the future.
General Motors and Chrysler say they risk ruin without immediate aid. Ford says it may need funds in the future.
The legislation would provide loans to car makers to keep them in business over the coming months.
The legislation would provide loans to car makers to keep them in business over the coming months.
It would also see the appointment of a "car tsar", named by President George W Bush, to oversee the money, and with the power to force the automakers into bankruptcy if they did not restructure their businesses to become viable.
It would also see the appointment of a "car tsar", named by President George W Bush, to oversee the money, and with the power to force the automakers into bankruptcy if they did not restructure their businesses to become viable.
The government is also expected to take non-voting shares in General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
The government is also expected to take non-voting shares in General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
Republicans are said to prefer a plan that would demand concessions from auto-workers, encourage the car firms to declare bankruptcy and provide a system of government insurance that would protect private investment in the firms.
Republicans are said to prefer a plan that would demand concessions from auto-workers, encourage the car firms to declare bankruptcy and provide a system of government insurance that would protect private investment in the firms.
This follows criticism that the $700bn bail-out of the financial sector was insufficiently detailed.
This follows criticism that the $700bn bail-out of the financial sector was insufficiently detailed.
The "Big Three" automakers would have until 31 March to submit plans to the "car tsar" detailing how they intend to restructure to ensure their longer-term survival, the Associated Press news agency said.
The "Big Three" automakers would have until 31 March to submit plans to the "car tsar" detailing how they intend to restructure to ensure their longer-term survival, AP said.
The three firms had called for $34bn between them when their bosses recently went before Congress to put their case.
The three firms called for $34bn between them when their bosses recently went before Congress to put their case.
'Disappointed'
'Disappointed'
GM, Ford and Chrysler have all seen sales fall sharply this year in their home market.
GM, Ford and Chrysler have all seen sales fall sharply this year in their home market.
While this decline reflects an industry-wide fall that has also hit European and Japanese carmakers in the US, the Big Three have also been criticised for not offering an attractive range of vehicles.
While this decline reflects an industry-wide fall that has also hit European and Japanese carmakers in the US, the Big Three have also been criticised for not offering an attractive range of vehicles.
They have been said to be too slow in responding to the growing popularity of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
They have been said to be too slow in responding to the growing popularity of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
GM admitted on Monday that it had "disappointed" American consumers by letting "our quality fall below industry standards and our designs became lacklustre".
GM admitted on Monday that it had "disappointed" American consumers by letting "our quality fall below industry standards and our designs became lacklustre".
Do you work in the US car industry? What do you think of the planned bail-out? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Do you work in the US car industry? What do you think of the planned bail-out? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
