The decision by the Treasury Department to extend a $5 billion lifeline to major auto suppliers is being hailed by Michigan legislators on both sides of the aisle as a signal from the Obama administration that it will give more help to save the auto industry over the next few months.
 

“They’re sending a clear message, I think, that they know GM and Chrysler have to survive,” said U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Livonia. “It would make no sense to save the suppliers and not save the carmakers.”…

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, said the announcement signals that Obama is likely to come to the aid of GM and Chrysler again.

“I think this reflects a growing awareness on the part of the administration of the importance of the auto industry to this nation’s economy,” he said.

The administration says no decision has been made on whether to provide some $30 billion more in aid to the auto industry, but this move to help suppliers does, as McCotter and Levin suggest, seem like a pretty strong signal that more help is on the way.