* confetti and balloons drop from the sky *
Democratic leaders and the White House reached a deal to provide billions of dollars in relief to the ailing U.S. auto industry, a senior congressional aide told Reuters on Friday.
The package, which Democratic leaders hope to win passage of next week and send to President George W. Bush, totals between $15 billion and $17 billion, the aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
This is happening with the thought that it will get them through until Obama takes over and can deal with the mess. Lucky him. But beggars can't be choosers, and we should be grateful that Congress has decided to actually try and do something here. Fingers crossed it will be enough.