Housing Industry Funnels Cash to Lawmakers

Senator part populist, part bank ally

(NEWSER) - Chris Dodd is a man of contradictions, writes David Whitford for Fortune. The Democratic senator portrays himself as a populist; he’s passed consumer-protection and family-issues laws, and he staunchly opposed the bankruptcy bill. But he’s also received loads of cash from financial companies, including AIG, and played a crucial role in deregulating the industry. Now, as banking committee chair, he’s in on every major economic decision. More»

Debate rages on auto bailout

(NEWSER) - The CEOs of the Big Three are back on Capital Hill this morning testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, and Barney Frank at least seems sympathetic. The chairman said bankruptcy “would be a disaster,” given the current credit markets and today’s dire job report, adding that “the country is held hostage” by the debate, the Detroit News reports. More»

Mass. congressman "vilified," but sticks to his guns

(NEWSER) - At the center of Washington’s financial crisis, Barney Frank has been called a “left-wing zealot”—but the congressman, while he’s admitted mistakes, has long been canny and courageous in his positions, writes Maureen Tkacik in Boston magazine. Amid much talk of the “moral hazards” in addressing the crisis, “the real hazard, Frank understands all too well, is in failing to try to open the other side's eyes.” More»

(NEWSER) - The CEOs of the Big Three automakers told the Senate today that a $25 billion bailout of the industry is necessary to prevent "catastrophic" effects on the economy, the New York Times reports. “If the domestic industry were allowed to fail,” said GM's Rick Wagoner, it would mean “three million jobs lost within the first year.” Meanwhile, Chrysler's Robert Nardelli disclosed that his company, like GM, is on the verge of bankruptcy. More»

Dodd touts 'fundamental agreement' ahead of meeting with Bush

(NEWSER) - The bipartisan group of legislators working on either a Wall Street bailout or a rescue package has reached "a fundamental agreement on a set of principles," Senate Banking Committee Chris Dodd said today. Racing to make a deal before a scheduled 4pm meeting at the White House, the lawmakers were optimistic the measure had enough support to satisfy both houses of Congress and President Bush, CQ Politics reports. More»