Democratic leaders in Congress are asking the White House to provide more aid to the auto industry.

In a letter yesterday to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Bush administration should consider expanding the $700 billion bailout to include car companies.

Automakers already want $50 billion in loans from Congress to help them survive tough economic conditions and pay retirees' health care obligations.

A Treasury Department spokeswoman says the department is working on ways to most effectively use the remaining bailout money to bolster the financial system and get lending moving again.