BBC: Why was US bail–out plan rejected?
by VOA News
By Dan Robinson
• Lawmakers voting against bailout cite flaws in plan
• Dow posts record plunge after US Congress votes against bailout
• Oil prices plunge over economic downturn fears after bailout rejection
The House of Representatives has rejected by a vote of 228 to 205, bipartisan
legislation to authorize a $700 billion bailout for U.S. financial markets.
Opponents said the massive government intervention failed to address fundamental
market problems and contained too few protections for American taxpayers. VOA's
Dan Robinson reports on the House vote, which caused U.S. financial markets to
plunge.
When the final vote was announced, the measure went down to defeat, with 132
Republicans and 94 Democrats rejecting appeals from their party leadership to
support the legislation.
Facing one of the most difficult votes they have ever taken, Democrats and
Republicans voiced support or opposition to the legislation during a three–hour
debate.
Main elements include authorization for the government to purchase troubled
assets and acquire equity in threatened financial firms; creation of a strong
oversight board; steps to help Americans avoid loss of their homes; and limits
on executive compensation.
Under the plan, Congress would make $250 billion available immediately, followed
by $100 billion on an additional certification of need, and another $350 billion
subject to a congressional vote.
"We regret being here because we all deeply regret the econ conditions, which
have made this decision day necessary," said Barney Frank. "No one is happy that
we have seen the failure that we have seen in our economic system," said House
Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank.
Republican minority leader John Boehner acknowledged the difficulty many in his
party had in voting for the legislation.
"We have cast a lot of tough votes along the way," said John Boehner. "I do not
know that they get much tougher than this. Because nobody wants to vote for
this, nobody wants to be anywhere around it, and I do not blame you, I do not
want to be around it."
Many Republicans called the measure corporate welfare, asserting it will not
have the desired effect on financial markets and saddle Americans with more debt
in the long–run.
Texas Republican Representative Jeb Hensarling and Mike Pence of Indiana:
HENSARLING: "I fear this legislation is fraught with unintended
consequences. I fear that ultimately it may not work. I fear it is too much
bailout and not enough work out. I fear that taxpayers may end up inheriting the
mother of all debts."
PENCE: "It remains in my judgment the largest corporate bailout in
American corporate history, forever changes the relationships between government
and the financial sector and passes the cost along to the American people and I
cannot support it."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried to assure lawmakers that a yes vote would not
be, as she put it, the end of the line, with further congressional actions next
year:
"As long as in the households of America, this crisis is being felt very
immediately, and being addressed at a different level, we must come back and we
will come back as soon and as often as is necessary and to make the change that
is necessary," said Nancy Pelosi.
After the vote, a White House statement expressed disappointment with the
outcome. Rejection of the legislation by the House throws its fate into
question.
Lawmakers Voting Against Bailout Cite Flaws in Plan
By VOA News
A majority of U.S. lawmakers say the revised economic bailout
plan defeated Monday failed to address major concerns.
Lawmakers had modified President George Bush's original $700–billion plan to
rescue key financial institutions by adding more scrutiny and limits on
dispersing the money.
The Congressional measure would have phased in funding, provided home–owners
some protection and let them share in any profits of the financial firms
receiving the money.
But even in its modified form, enough opposing members of Congress felt the bill
was still flawed.
They said both the original bill and the defeated measure put the taxpayer at
far too great a risk for the benefit of large corporations and did not address
underlying economic problems.
Most members of Congress face verdict of voters during election day November 4.
Dow Posts Record Plunge After US Congress Votes Against Bailout
by VOA News
U.S. stock market indexes plunged Monday after the U.S. House of Representatives
voted against a controversial $700–billion government plan to rescue financial
companies.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down seven percent (778 points) to finish
at 10,365. The S&P 500 fell more than 8.7 (106 points) to hit 1,107 and the
NASDAQ plummeted more than nine percent (200 points) to end at 1,984.
European stock markets closed at a more than three–year low. London's Financial
Times 100 index lost 5.3 percent (270 points) to end at 4,819. The CAC 40 in
Paris plunged more than five percent (210 points) to close at 3,953. The DAX in
Frankfurt fell 4.2 percent (256 points) to finish at 5,807.
In Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei index lost more than one percent (150 points) to end the
day at 11,744. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index plunged more than four percent
(801 points) to close at 17,881.
Gold rose $30 to trade at $908.75 an ounce.
The U.S. dollar was down against the yen and up against the euro.
Oil Prices Plunge Over Economic Downturn Fears After Bailout Rejection
by VOA News
Oil prices fell sharply Monday as the U.S. House of Representatives voted
against a $700–billion government plan to rescue troubled U.S. financial
institutions.
The price of a barrel of oil for future delivery dropped more than $10 to hit
$96.26 a barrel at the close of New York trading Monday.
Traders worried that rejection of the controversial plan could hurt U.S.
economic growth, and cut demand for energy.