During the night on Tuesday, December 9, congressional Democrats and the Bush White House achieved an agreement in principle to disperse a $15 billion bailout package to U.S. automakers that mandates a restructuring of the companies.

With final issues still to be resolved and the entire arrangement put in writing, a bill will be put to a vote in the House of Representatives as early as today and then sent to the Senate for approval.

In design, the bailout will provide short-term loans for General Motors and Chrysler to allow them to avert the threat of bankruptcy through March. Ford has not requested immediate assistance, but would like a $9 billion line of credit.

Funds for the deal will be drawn from previously allocated monies given to the Energy Department in September for the development of fuel-efficient vehicles.

The automakers will be forced to be accountable to a trustee, or "car czar" and the government will, in essence, become the major shareholder in the corporations. If the companies fail to make the needed concessions, the trustee will have the power to compel bankruptcy proceedings.

One provision in contention involves a Democratic attempt to force lawmakers to drop pending lawsuits in states including California where they are challenging limits on auto emissions and greenhouse gases. The Bush administration opposes the measure and it is expected to be cut from the final bill.