WASHINGTON -- Auto suppliers appealed to lawmakers Wednesday for federal support, warning that the U.S. supply base could buckle under from the declining fortunes of General Motors and Chrysler, according to The Associated Press.

But it's not just the big Detroit automakers that are suffering. Several small auto suppliers, which manufacture tooling, plastic molds and metal castings for cars and trucks, said during a congressional hearing that Chrysler's bankruptcy has left them in limbo, with some awaiting payment for millions of dollars worth of parts.

If General Motors is forced into bankruptcy, they said some suppliers could be forced to shut their doors, undermining an industry that employs more than 3 million workers.