Washington, DC – Governors and business lobbyists pressured Congress today to pass a 700 billion-dollar financial industry bailout.
The call from governors Rick Perry of Texas and Joe Manchin of West Virginia comes as top lawmakers prepare for another face-off on the issue _ this time in the Senate.
In a joint letter, Perry and Manchin say ``there is a time for partisanship and there is a time for getting things done.''
Perry heads the Republican Governors Association, while Manchin leads the Democratic governors group. Their letter was aimed at signaling there are home-state political reasons for approving the massive bailout.
The new lobbying initiative came as the Senate prepared for an evening vote an a version of the bill overhauled to attract additional votes. They include an increase in the size of bank deposits insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from $100,000 to $250,000.
Congressional leaders say those additions, plus complaints from constituents furious over Monday's stock market plunge, have improved the prospects for the measure's approval. After the Senate's expected passage, a House vote could come later this week.