The General Motors headquarters is seen November 18, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The big three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, all based in Detroit, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb the decline of the American auto industry. The city of Detroit would be hardest hit if the government let the auto makers fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A old Chevrolet truck stands for sale in a lot November 19, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

People take trays of food at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen November 19, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

People eat lunch in the Capuchin Soup Kitchen on Nov. 19, 2008, in Detroit. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A boy walks into the Capuchin Soup Kitchen November 19, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Retired members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) listen to details of their retirement accounts while they attend a monthly benefits meeting at the UAW Local 22 meeting Hall on November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb the decline of the American auto industry. The city of Detroit, home to the Big Three, would be hardest hit if the government allows these auto makers to fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

A retired member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) holds his head as he listens to details of his retirement account while he attends a monthly benefits meeting at the UAW Local 22 meeting Hall on November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors (GM), Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb the decline of the American auto industry. The city of Detroit, home to the Big Three, would be hardest hit if the government allows these auto makers to fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Kathy Billingsley looks over an eviction notice at a home she shares with her mother and two other relatives in an impoverished area of town November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The home, which is facing foreclosure, has had its heat turned off and the residents are facing eviction in February. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Lula Billingsley, 83, warms her hands with an electric heater at the homes she shares with her mother and two other relatives in an impoverished area of town November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The home, which is facing foreclosure, has had its heat turned off and the residents are facing eviction in February. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Kathy Billingsley stands with cans of food she received from a local charity November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The home, which is facing foreclosure, has had its heat turned off and the residents are facing eviction in February. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers fail. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Shuttered businesses line a downtown street November 20, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. An estimated one in three Detroiters lives in poverty, making the city the poorest large city in America. The Big Three U.S. automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, are appearing this week in Washington to ask for federal funds to curb to decline of the American auto industry. Detroit, home to the big three, would be hardest hit if the government lets the auto makers fall into bankruptcy. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)