Pelosi, LaHood praise results of auto bailout

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Monday used appearances at the big Detroit auto show to defend the federal government’s $80 billon investment in the industry, according to several news accounts.

"What we see here today is a renaissance," said Pelosi, who lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to the North American International Auto Show, in this AP story. "A renaissance, a phoenix — a rebirth."

“This was a good investment of taxpayer dollars in an industry that needed a little bit of an infusion of resources," LaHood said in the same account, noting GM’s recent repayment of $1 billion.

Lawmakers viewed several advanced vehicles that automakers are planning to roll out, including the Chevy Volt electric car that GM – which has received $50 billion in aid – will begin selling later this year. "We've seen ideas turned into policy turned into product," Pelosi said after checking out the Volt, according to the Washington Post.

And Pelosi said she will be back next year, notes the Detroit News.