Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Geithner: $110B Left in TARP War Chest

Treasury won't ask Congress for more; defends slack lending

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 21, 2009 10:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Some $109.6 billion remains in the government's $700 billion bailout, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner today told TARP's congressional oversight chief, Elizabeth Warren. The Treasury sec says that's plenty—he expects banks to repay about $25 billion over the next year, and won't ask Congress for more. Geithner also defended weakened bank lending, saying "In recessions following a long period of substantial borrowing, demand for credit falls much more sharply."

Geithner stressed that $355.4 billion of the money was spent by the Bush administration, including $117 billion committed to AIG, Citigroup, Bank of America, General Motors, and Chrysler. The Obama administration has pumped another $30 billion into AIG and $5 billion into automakers, bringing the total for what it termed "exceptional assistance" to $152.4 billion.

In this March 24, 2009 file photo, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, left, accompanied by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, testifies on Capitol Hill.
In this March 24, 2009 file photo, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, left, accompanied by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, testifies on Capitol Hill.   (AP Photo)
Tim Geithner pauses during an announcement about a coordinated government effort to protect homeowners from criminal scams, April 6, 2009.
Tim Geithner pauses during an announcement about a coordinated government effort to protect homeowners from criminal scams, April 6, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Elizabeth Warren, who chairs an oversight committee set up by Congress to oversee the bailout, is interviewed by the AP in Washington, Dec. 18, 2008.
Elizabeth Warren, who chairs an oversight committee set up by Congress to oversee the bailout, is interviewed by the AP in Washington, Dec. 18, 2008.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Taxpayers Still Have $132.9B Stuck in TARP

Geithner to Europe: We're Not Lecturing

Taxpayers Will Score $12B on Citigroup Bailout: Treasury

GM Doesn't Have to Pay Taxes

Bailed-Out Companies Throw Cash to GOP


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne