Stories related to: Max Baucus

The controversial acquisition of Bear Stearns by rival JP Morgan Chase, aided by billions of dollars of government credit, is about to become one of the most scrutinized deals in Wall Street history. Two separate Senate investigations will soon be under way, one by the Banking Committee and another by the Finance Committee, reports the New York Times . More »

The Senate has unveiled its own economic stimulus package, challenging the plan agreed to between House leaders and the White House. The Senate plan would give $500 to almost all Americans, rich and poor, and would extend unemployment benefits to the jobless, reports the Washington Post . Senators are also likely to add heating cost assistance, foreclosure-prevention funding, business tax incentives, and other benefits. More »

The Senate has voted overwhelmingly to shield 23 million Americans from tax increases imposed by the alternative minimum tax—without replacing $50 billion in lost revenue. The vote to extend protection from the tax represents a retreat for Democrats who had pledged to meet the shortfall with spending cuts or by closing some tax breaks, reports the New York Times. More »

The Senate yesterday passed a revised S-CHIP bill that would provide health insurance for 10 million underprivileged children, CNN reports, but President Bush has vowed a second veto because it raises tobacco taxes. The bill passed 64-30, with high-profile Republicans such as Charles Grassley joining the majority. More »

If Blackstone and other buyout firms can't kill a proposed bill that would increase their taxes, they'll try for a 10-year delay in enacting it. Under pressure from lobbyists, lawmakers are discussing doubling the proposed 5-year grace period, Bloomberg reports. The legislation, introduced before Blackstone went public in June, has been the target of over $5 million worth of lobbying by private equity firms. More »