The watchdog charged with monitoring the government's $700 billion bailout unleashed one of his harshest criticisms of the program to date, questioning its overall effectiveness.
In his latest quarterly report to Congress, special inspector general Neil Barofsky said that the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, has failed to boost bank lending as well as halt the spread of foreclosures -- two key aims of the sprawling program.
Senator Thune was on Face The Nation to discuss jobs, spending, and health care. Others on the panel were Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS), Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), and Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI).
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., was one of five senators recognized as a recipient of an agricultural award by the National Association of Wheat Growers on Tuesday. The award recognizes members of Congress who have demonstrated consistent and strong support for the wheat industry.
Our country continues to grapple with pressing economic challenges. The exploding national debt will mean higher interest rates and inflation, diminished private-sector investment and job-crushing tax hikes. Unless addressed, each of these threats could significantly impede a recovery and jeopardize our nation’s long-term growth prospects.
The watchdog charged with monitoring the government's $700 billion bailout unleashed one of his harshest criticisms of the program to date, questioning its overall effectiveness.
In his latest quarterly report to Congress, special inspector general Neil Barofsky said that the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP, has failed to boost bank lending as well as halt the spread of foreclosures -- two key aims of the sprawling program.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., was one of five senators recognized as a recipient of an agricultural award by the National Association of Wheat Growers on Tuesday. The award recognizes members of Congress who have demonstrated consistent and strong support for the wheat industry.
Our country continues to grapple with pressing economic challenges. The exploding national debt will mean higher interest rates and inflation, diminished private-sector investment and job-crushing tax hikes. Unless addressed, each of these threats could significantly impede a recovery and jeopardize our nation’s long-term growth prospects.
Senator John Thune became a cosponsor of the Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive (HAITI) Act today, which would allow financial contributions made by U.S. taxpayers to qualifying organizations for Haiti relief efforts through March 1, 2010 to be claimed on their 2009 income tax returns.
Please join me for a live, interactive video townhall at 4pm CST on Monday, January 18th.
Congress will be back in session next week, and I am excited about this opportunity to use the latest technology to discuss the issues with you, hear your concerns and answer questions. You’ll be able to ask questions using our chat feature, and I will answer them live on our video webcast.
From The Hill:
As it turns out, Senate Democrats may not be able to force healthcare legislation through the chamber on a simple majority vote.
Republicans say they have found a loophole in the budget reconciliation process that could allow them to offer an indefinite number of amendments.
Though it has never been done, Sen. Jim DeMint [...]
From Kaiser Health News:
Internal Revenue Service agents already try to catch tax cheats. Under the proposed health care legislation, they would get another assignment: checking to see whether Americans have health insurance.
The House and Senate bills require most Americans to have health insurance and to prove it on their annual federal tax return. Those who [...]
POLITICO’s Carrie Budoff Brown posts a fascinating 11-page staff comparison of House and Senate health-reform bills:
“more than 50 ‘topline differences’ need to be resolved, from the amount of taxes levied to the minimum benefit package offered in the exchanges. Today, Speaker Pelosi will meet with House committee chairmen to start setting the parameters for negotiations [...]
From Fox News:
The Senate battle may be over for now, but Republicans are vowing the war is not yet lost.
Congress may be gone for several weeks enjoying a winter holiday, but Republicans say they will keep up the pressure on Democrats who succeeded in getting their Senate health insurance overhaul bill passed before Christmas — [...]
