Next week the CEOs of the Detroit Big Three as well as United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger will be going back to Washington seeking a $25 billion bailout for the automotive industry this year.

Although legislators are receptive to the pleas for assistance, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson restated the position of the Bush administration in remarks on Wednesday, November 12, saying that the companies are not entitled to funds under the current $700 billion bailout measure targeted at financial institutions.

Paulson, who rarely conducts news conferences, said that the auto industry was vital to the national economy and acknowledged that it is hurting, however he said any solution for automakers would have to be one "that leads to viability."

General Motors has asked all its U.S. dealers and other employees to contact their representatives and senators in a bid to generate support for the requested loan package which could save as many as 3 million jobs currently at risk.

Mark LaNeve, GM sales chief said in a letter to dealers, "As we're in the midst of the deepest crisis our industry has ever faced, GM's priority is on seeking support from various U.S. government agencies and congressional leaders."