New members of Congress were welcomed to Capitol Hill on Monday, but the celebratory mood did not extend toward an economic recovery measure or a bailout for U.S. automakers.

Rick Wagoner, G.M.’s chief executive, and his company have become the lightning rods of the debate over whether Detroit should get a bailout.

In a classic example of a futile government intervention, British Leyland went through billions in taxpayer money before going out of business.

The celebratory mood did not extend to the outlook for an economic recovery measure or a separate bailout for the nation’s automakers.

The Detroit auto companies and the United Automobile Workers union face waves of criticism as they try to make their case for a federal bailout.

Phil Gramm pushed laws that he says unshackled businesses from restraints but critics say contributed to the financial crisis.

Rising unemployment and sharp drops in tax revenue are forcing states to face service cuts, hiring freezes, tax increases, or all of these.

Phil Gramm promoted policies that he says unshackled businesses from restraints but his critics charge contributed to the financial crisis.

Whether Washington should let that play out — risking hundreds of thousands of jobs — is a central question Congress will weigh this week.

Programs to cushion and counter economic downturns have been sharply curtailed since the 1981-82 recession.