Michigan Senator says no federal help has been requested for merger

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow told reporters today that GM and Chrysler have not yet requested financial assistance from the federal government to support a merger.

“It hasn’t got that far,” the Michigan Democrat said. “They may come back.”

Stabenow said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama supports rapidly providing $25 billion in federal low-interest loans to automakers and suppliers if he is elected. She also said she sees growing Congressional support for plans to prevent a collapse of the auto industry. She noted members of both houses are aware of the economic devastation the failure of one or more of the Detroit automakers would create.