[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
             WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the economic meltdown was one of the most 
disastrous economic events in the Nation's history. The banks were the 
main culprits, but the Republicans in Washington aided and abetted them 
by deregulating finances and turning the other way when problems 
surfaced.
  Now the House has passed the Wall Street Reform and Consumer 
Protection Act. It ends bailouts by helping ensure taxpayers are never 
again on the hook for Wall Street's risky decisions. It protects 
families' retirement funds, college savings, homes and businesses' 
financial future from unnecessary risk by executives, lenders, and 
speculators. And it also protects consumers from predatory lending 
abuses, fine print, and industry gimmicks.
  Mr. Speaker, we passed this bill in the House. It must pass in the 
Senate and go to the President. But we as Democrats are making a 
difference in trying to prevent another economic meltdown.

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