About an hour ago I had a chance to speak with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, who sits in the Banking committee. I asked Senator Brown that, in light of HR 384 ready to pass the House, would he help push Senator Dorgan's S 195, which has been referred to the banking committee and which places similar oversight and transparency requirements on the Wall Street bailout money. His response was both clear and positive: yes, he would try to push S 195 out of committee, and that "we" (I assume he meant himself and other banking committee Senators) would speak to, and work with, Chairman Dodd in an attempt order to make it happen.
This is news gives real hope that additional legal restrictions will be placed on the second $350 billion in TARP funds, and that the House's effort to pass HR 384 will not be in vain. I will try to follow-up with Senator Brown's office on this matter later in the week, checking in and progress and looking for ways that we can assist in his efforts.
Further, I also was able to speak to Senator Byron Dorgan. I told him that the Open Left community was ready to help pass S 195, and that we appreciated his efforts in introducing the bill. He thanked us for our support. Thank you, Senators Dorgan and Brown.
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