FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Executives from the big three U.S. automakers headed to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to try and steer their way toward a bailout. CEOs from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler sat before a tough crowd of lawmakers, asking for $25 billion from the financial bailout fund.

Meanwhile, feelings on Capitol Hill and around the country are mixed.

"No one can say they didn't see this coming," said Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "Their companies have been struggling for years."

"I believe we must take action," added Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. "But we also need to hear a plan from executives sitting here today."

Those who said the United States can't afford to let the automakers fail, did say big changes must be made. No one is as aware of what's at stake than auto industry workers, including the men and women working at the GM plant in Fredericksburg. At one time, the plant employed 300 people. Now there are barely 100 people working there.

Jackie Kimbrew is a portrait of resiliency. She's given 29 of her 50 years to the auto industry and has been laid off 10 times in 10 years. Like the cars she helps build, however, Kimbrew has survived -- barely.

"It's terrible," Kimbrew said. "I never seen nothing like this. I've seen people lose their homes, lose their cars, this is the first time it's been that bad," she said.

The Fredericksburg powertrain plant has been a Spotsylvania County landmark for nearly 30 years. Melvin Carter has been here for all of them. "I'm afraid for my pensions," he said. "I'm afraid for my health care."

"To let these jobs go, it isn't just a personal issue with me, it's going to hurt this entire country," added 28-year employee Chuck Sulser. "We need a manufacturing base."

Many workers have not just built their careers in this plant, but their entire lives. "To have worked for a company for 24 years and to just lose everything would be very devastating," said 24-year employee Lois Doles. "My husband just retired from General Motors after 33 years."

Workers at the Fredericksburg plant insist that the economic devastation caused by not saving the auto industry far exceeds the $25 billion it needs to stay afloat. They said the company has been trimming everywhere it can. They're no longer training workers or traveling, and each employee is now doing the jobs of three.

They hope to convince Congress they need help, but they do understand that it already may be too late.