In a second day of hearings on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 19, Detroit's Big Three auto executives testified before the House Financial Services Committee, receiving a reaction as cool as that presented by the Senate Banking Committee the day before.

Chastised by committee members for coming to Washington seeking federal aid aboard private company jets, lawmakers also criticized those assembled for long-term failures to build better vehicles and to revamp their operations for more efficient operation.

Rick Wagoner of General Motors was described in a New York Times article as drained and uncertain. Wagoner said, This is all part of what we signed up for when we made this request. We knew we needed to testify and come down and tell our story, and we know the Congress needs to decide if it's going to act and how it's going to act. We don't think realistically one should have expected an answer tonight, and I still remain hopeful.

The executives were seeking $25 billion in aid as a bridge loan fearing insolvency by year's end. The House of Representatives, however, will adjourn today and no legislation appeared to be forthcoming on the request. Other lawmakers were looking for ways to divert funds from a previously approved loan of $25 billion for factory re-fitting for fuel efficient vehicles, but hopes in that sector appeare equally slim. The Bush White Houe has staunchly resisted pleas to use part of the $700 billion bailout fund for the financial industry to assist the automakers.

Congress appears set to adjourn with no aid to the automakers who may have to wait to try again until President-elect Barack Obama takes office on January 20. General Motors, however, has said that it will run out of operating capital by year's end with Chrysler echoing similar fears. Ford has said it has sufficient cash to survive through 2009.