Oct 21 When the Treasury Department is repaid the money it lent, shouldn’t that be used to pay down the national debt? Question/Comment: When the day comes that the banks and other financial institutions start to repay the vast amounts of money that have been borrowed by the Treasury Department, shouldn’t that money be used to pay down the additional national debt… Continue reading
Oct 03 House Passes $700 Billion Financial Bailout Bill By Admin, PBS News Hour The House of Representatives passed hotly-debated legislation Friday to bail out the troubled financial industry by a 263-171 vote, agreeing to the Senate bill that passed on Tuesday and sending it to the White House for President Bush's signature. Continue reading
Oct 02 What would happen if the government gave every American one million dollars so people could pay off all their mortgages and bills? While waiting for more of your emails (they come in via the Online NewsHour in Virginia), I’ve been fielding a few from friends and neighbors. I thought I’d share them, and my answers, this afternoon. First, from my earliest friend:… Continue reading
Oct 01 Senate Approves Massive Financial Rescue Plan; House May Vote Friday By Admin, PBS News Hour With bipartisan support, the Senate easily approved a massive federal rescue plan aimed at stabilizing the economy and freeing up the crippled credit market Wednesday night. The vote was 74-25. Continue reading
Sep 26 Watch Shields, Brooks Weigh in on the Week’s Dramatic Bailout Debate It was a devastating week on Wall Street and a contentious one in Congress as politicians battled over bailout proposals. With the presidential candidates heading to the first debate, political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks reflect on the developments. Continue watching
Sep 23 Watch Massive Financial Rescue Faces Skepticism in Congress Fed chief Ben Bernanke and Treasury head Henry Paulson answered questions from skeptical members of Congress Tuesday as they pushed their $700 billion bailout plan. Analysts discuss the details of the proposal. Continue watching
Sep 23 Watch Lawmakers Pose Tough Questions on Bailout Proposal Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson faced tough questions from skeptical members of Congress Tuesday over a $700 billion financial bailout plan. Kwame Holman reports on the hearings and other developments in the financial crisis. Continue watching
Sep 22 If someone said to you, I have $100,000 of hard earned money saved, where would you invest it? Question/Comment: If someone said to you, I have $100,000 of hard earned money saved, where would you invest it? Paul Solman: In U.S. government TIPS, Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, I suppose. They pay an… Continue reading
Sep 16 Watch Fed Aims to Stabilize Markets as Jittery Investors Watch AIG With the financial industry still reeling from Monday's collapse of key institutions, the Federal Reserve pumped another $70 billion into the teetering system Tuesday. Two business journalists discuss the Fed's relief efforts. Continue watching
Jul 14 U.S. Government Takes Steps to Back Struggling Mortgage Giants By PBS News Hour The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve laid out plans Sunday to help bolster lagging confidence in mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Continue reading