By Julie Hirschfeld Davis
Associated Press Writer
 
November 17, 2008
 
WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats are proposing to deny bonuses to U.S. auto executives making more than $250,000 a year in exchange for giving the firms and their suppliers $25 billion in loans from the $700 billion Wall Street bailout.
 
The companies would first have to give the government a plan for "long-term financial viability," according to a copy of the legislation obtained by The Associated Press.
 
The loans, which would start at a 5 percent interest rate, would come from the second half of the financial industry rescue money.
 
The measure also would extend jobless aid to unemployed workers whose benefits have run out.