Voinovich: Bailout bill short on GOP votes

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By Julie Hirschfeld Davis ASSOCIATED PRESS

Senate Republicans say they have grave concerns about the agreement between congressional Democrats and the Bush White House to speed billions of dollars to struggling U.S. automakers.

Sen. George V. Voinovich, Ohio Republican and a leading supporter of the emergency measure, says the bill doesn't have the necessary Republican votes to pass Congress.

Administration officials who were dispatched to Capitol Hill to sell the agreement got an earful of criticism from Republican senators during a closed-door luncheon.

The revolt came as the House began procedural votes on the package. Democrats are pushing to pass it this week.