WASHINGTON — Acting at Barack Obama's behest, President Bush yesterday asked Congress for the final $350 billion in the financial bailout fund, effectively ceding economic reins to the president-elect in an extraordinary display of transition teamwork.

Obama also sharply criticized Bush's handling of the money and promised radical changes.

Bush's move sets the stage for Obama to get swift access to the $350 billion and the opportunity to overhaul the much-criticized rescue package after taking office next Tuesday. Obama said that it would be "irresponsible ... to enter into the administration without any potential ammunition should there be some sort of emergency or weakening of the financial system."

Obama and the Bush administration had been negotiating for days on how and when to seek access to the second half of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Congress, where the use of the money has met stiff bipartisan skepticism, has 15 days to vote to reject the request. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was considering holding a vote on a resolution of disapproval as early as Thursday in hopes it would be defeated, thus making the funds available about a week after Obama inherits one of the worst financial crises in U.S. history.

If Congress goes along, Obama would have a huge cache of bailout money at his disposal — and much more to come in the approximately $800 billion economic stimulus bill that Democratic congressional leaders promise to finish by mid-February. Congress also is racing to have ready for Obama a $35 billion health insurance program for children.

Obama sent prompt reassurances to congressional leaders that the money would aim to help free credit for small businesses and consumers and reduce the rising number of foreclosures.

The current administration has already committed the first $350 billion, injecting capital into banks with few strings attached and bailing out ailing financial companies considered too big to fail without further damage to the economy.