Bosses of America's three biggest car companies face grilling in Congress over their request for a multi-billion dollar bailout. Yesterday they faced scepticism from US lawmakers as to whether the bailout would work. Jamie Coomarasamy reports:

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Some Senators echoed the sentiments of President Bush who warned in an interview against throwing good money after bad.

On Friday the carmakers take their case to the House financial services committee. Its Democratic chairman, Barney Frank, has called on president-elect Obama to be rather more assertive on the issue than he has been so far.

Jamie Coomarasamy, BBC News, Washington

Listen to the words

revised
that has been looked at again and, as a result, changed

renewed scepticism
more doubts (about the truth or value of something)

impending collapse
a serious failure that is about to happen

inaction
doing nothing

an option
here, something to consider, a possible choice

without consensus
with those present unable to come to a single opinion

echoed the sentiments of
expressed the same feelings as

case
an issue that is dealt with by a court of law

called on
firmly asked, encouraged

assertive
open, strong and confident

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