I am disappointed with today's vote on the auto industry assistance legislation. We tried to bring people together to stabilize the domestic automobile industry and our national economy.

It is not just the Big Three domestic manufacturers and their employers that will be hurt by the failure to enact legislation. The welfare of suppliers, dealers, bondholders, and many others is directly linked to the solvency of the auto industry.  A domestic auto industry collapse could be devastating, particularly during the current recession. There is great potential harm that may come because the minority blocked this legislation.  We will continue to work to bring about the assistance necessary to ensure that our country has a viable domestic automobile industry.