WASHINGTON - There was a major setback for the big three auto companies Wednesday, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill have canceled a vote aimed at bailing them out.

The bottom line is that senate leaders didn't have the votes to pass the bailout bill so they punted, leaving it to President Bush (web|news|bio) -- who has said all along he opposes the plan. Right now, the auto bailout appears to be getting a big no from Washington.

A bailout for the big three automakers left many taxpayers uneasy about the costs, but there is worry about the impact across the economic spectrum from Congress deciding to do nothing.

Arlington resident Jessie Beck moved to Virginia from Ohio and knows the fallout firsthand. "I've seen that impact in Ohio and it is horrible," she said. "...and you would think that if they could do whatever they could, that they would do it," she added.

On Capitol Hill there was little good will for the corporate heads of the big three American car companies. On Wednesday, ABC News reported that each CEO flew private jets to Washington costing $20,000 versus $800 if they had flown even first class.

Local residents had mixed reactions to the news. Arlington resident Frank Alexander said, "you don't necessarily want your CEO flying with people who are angry with them and could potentially attack them, but at the same time no -- I think they should be flying coach."

Some are wondering what will happen next. A new president and Congress could approve bailout funds in January, but automakers warn that could be too late, insisting they've turned around business practices and were on the path to success -- before the current economic crisis.

Critics say bankruptcy could be good for the big three, forcing them to reorganize. Bankruptcy, however, presents more than a few problems in this economy. It's going to be very hard to raise capital and even harder to convince buyers to purchase a car when they know the company could still go under.