WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate and House Democratic leaders at a news conference:
* U.S. Senate Democratic leader Reid says "the sad reality is thatno one has come up with a (auto) plan" that can be passed by house andsenate, signed by president.
* Reid says will give automakers another opportunity to make their case to Congress, submit plan by December 2.
* Reid says prepared to come back into session the week of December 8 to help automakers get assistance.
* Reid says Bush administration already has authority to provide automakers aid under Treasury Dept’s TARP program.
* U.S. House Speaker Pelosi says "until they show US a plan, we cannot show them the money" regarding automaker aid.
* Pelosi says healthy auto industry is crucial to U.S. industrialbase and national security, but must show a "path" to viability.
* Pelosi: "We’re talking about the need for accountability, the need for viability" not the source of money to help automakers.
* Reid says automakers must develop bailout proposal that can pass congressional muster during week of December 8.
* Reid says "we can only help if they (U.S. automakers) are willing to help themselves."
* Pelosi says U.S. automakers first asked Congressional leaders forhelp supporting a merger, then asked for help with liquidity.
* Reid says "we do not have the votes" to bring up Democratic proposal for aid to automakers.
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