Washington, Dec 21 Vice President Dick Cheney has accused Congress of failing to help a dying US auto industry, leaving President George W Bush no choice, but to step in with billions of dollars in loans.

The Vice President spoke with FOX News, shortly after Bush announced that the federal government would offer 17.4 billion dollars in rescue loans to automakers.

Cheney also took a newsworthy shot at his successor, Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

The President's auto bail proposal triggered some objections from Republican leaders on Capitol Hill on Friday, but Cheney defended the move.

"We believe that this was, in fact, the best course of action. I think it is a good package. I think we talk about the Congress being critical -- they had ample opportunity to deal with this issue and they failed," Cheney said.

"The president had no choice but to step in," he added.

The House of Representatives earlier approved a 14 billion dollar auto bailout bill, but the measure died in the Senate last week amid GOP objections. (ANI)