Senator Warner says he was not comfortable questioning the business decisions of executives from GM and Chrysler, who announced this week they plan to close more than 2,000 dealerships by October 2010.

But at Wednesday’s Commerce Committee hearings, Senator Warner said he felt Congress now has a “right and a responsibility” to ask some tough questions since the American taxpayers now are majority shareholders of both automakers --but he hopes that is a temporary arrangement:

"If I ever thought in my business life that I'd see senators trying to micro-manage the workings of American industry like GM and Chrysler I would have said it could never happen.  If there was any more impetus to try to get back to profitability and get the government out of your business... today's session ought to be that impetus."

Proposed restructuring plans – and ultimately the prospect of bankruptcy – could dramatically alter existing franchise agreements between dealers and manufacturers.

From a "business guy to business guy" perspective, Senator Warner asked "what incentive would I have as a local dealer to reinvest in my business and try to build up my business" if automakers could come in at any point and cancel existing agreements, purchases orders and designated sales territories.

The executives didn't answer questions posed during the hearing, but the questions will be submitted to the Congressional record.

Here is the video of Senator Warner's question: