WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers made the following statement today regarding the White House plan to issue $13.4 billion in emergency loans to General Motors and Chrysler.

“The domestic auto industry directly supports the livelihood of thousands of people in Michigan, many of whom I represent in Washington. While I regret that the automobile manufacturers are in their current, troubled state, exacerbated by our current credit crisis, it is clear that the only way they will survive is with the assistance of a federal loan. I am pleased the White House and the Treasury will issue $13.4 billion in loans to General Motors and Chrysler in a structure similar to legislation passed by the House of Representatives earlier this month. I hope this will help our nation’s auto industry survive and eventually prosper.”