From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

Detroit begs for survival again.

Hello again, I'm Arminolny, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

The CEOs of the

big three went back to Congress today, upping the ante from $25 to $34 billion in federal money to

keep them in business. They promised personal sacrifice, better management, and greener cars,

saying the taxpayers would be paid back, maybe with interest. Today we'll hear their latest plans and how senators in both parties reacted.

Are the big three making better cars than they get credit for?

Are they too important to too many people to allow them to fail?

On reporter's notebook later on, will U.S. Senate candidates in Minnesota have to draw lots to see who won?

First, here's the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Hello again, Mormon Alney, back with To the Point.

The Big Three automakers have updated their plans and increased what they're asking in Federal Help for Survival.

Instead of $25 billion, now they want $34.

We'll hear how their latest appeals were received today by a Senate committee.

On reporter's notebook, Minnesota's U.S. Senate race is so close, a recount may not be possible.

What do Al Franken and Norm Coleman do now? First, this news update, less than two months after re-election,

Canada's conservative prime minister has almost been forced out of office. Stephen Harper was saved for the moment by Queen Elizabeth's Governor General,

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