WASHINGTON -- Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. turned a previously planned lobbying trip to the Capitol into a plea for financial aid to the auto industry Wednesday, but he acknowledged that legislation to help the Big Three carmakers is in serious doubt.

"Based on the meetings I've had, there's a chance," Cockrel said between meetings Wednesday. "But it's definitely a tough battle. ... A lot of people need convincing."

Cockrel met with Michigan's senators on Wednesday morning before a session with Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, at lunchtime. Later in the day, Cockrel was to meet with officials from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to encourage them to push for auto aid, and with other Michigan lawmakers.

The mayor said he was hoping to squeeze in meetings with Michigan lawmakers "who haven't been as vocal" in support of the loans the domestic carmakers seek, though he would not name those lawmakers.

Cockrel's trip had been scheduled for more than a month, and he had planned to push for additional homeland security funding and other federal spending for the city. Instead, with Congress debating $25 billion in loans to Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, the focus changed to the auto industry.

Despite the threat of bankruptcy of one or even all three of the companies, Cockrel said, "Detroit will endure no matter what happens. But (a car company's failure) would make it much harder. And it's not just a Detroit problem. It's cities all across the country."