The United States House of Representatives today voted against the $700 billion rescue package for the nation's troubled economy. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 600 points as the House voted against the bill. President George Bush has said the package is necessary if the US is to avoid ``financial panic'' and a ``long and painful recession''. It's also been one of the worst days on the Irish stock market, where shares were down 12%. The fall followed the announcement that banking and insurance company Fortis is being bailed out by the Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg governments. The British Government also today came to the rescue of Bradford and Bingley, in a £50 billion package to take on its mortgage business.