NBC NEWS - Wednesday, the Bush Administration will answer criticism over how well that $700 billion bank bailout is working. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will give a status report.

As he does that carmakers and their allies in Congress are demanding bailout help too.

Democrats here are making this a priority. They want the bailout law redrafted to cover the auto industry too. But many Republicans here and the White House are asking where do the bailouts end?

Six weeks after the $700 billion rescue was passed, is it working to restore credit, buy up troubled mortgages and help homeowners?

Now carmakers want a piece of the rescue, access to some $25 billion.

GM warns it may not last a year without help, something critics say might be needed.

Daniel Ikenson of the CATO Institute says "the companies that are seeking bailouts are the companies that have made bad decisions and really should not be bailed out."

One study predicts at least two million jobs would be lost if just one of the big three went under, mistakes aside.

Michigan Congressman Sander Levin says "if the test is anybody who made a mistake, there's gonna be no help, the economy will crumble."

On mortgage help a new plan aims to speed up refinancing.

Borrowers must be at least three months behind on payments and owe 90 percent or more than their home's currently worth.

FHA Commissioner Brian Montgomery says "loan modifications are not a gift, the principle cut on the front end will paid at the end of the loan."

Retailers want help too, from consumers. Some are promoting Christmas, under pressure to record sales even at a loss.

Citigroup's Deb Weinswig says "I think everyone's gonna be so focused on grabbing mind share, that we could actually see some real craziness with regards to promotions."

Retailers expect the slowest season in 22 years, with many Americans in no mood to shop.

A day after federal officials announced that new mortgage relief plan House lawmakers will hold a hearing Wednesday on whether homeowners are getting help they need. Critics say the plan covers at most a fifth of all loans in trouble.