Strange Bedfellows Unite To Oppose Spending Bill’s Gift To Big Banks

** FILE ** Sen. David Vitter, R-La., takes part in a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this July 17, 2007 file photo. Vitter will not have to testify about his ties to an upscale Washington escort service, a ... ** FILE ** Sen. David Vitter, R-La., takes part in a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, in this July 17, 2007 file photo. Vitter will not have to testify about his ties to an upscale Washington escort service, a defense attorney said Monday, April 14, 2008, sparing the Louisiana Republican an embarrassing trip to the witness stand. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) MORE LESS
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In a case of strange bedfellows, liberal Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH) and conservative Republican Sen. David Vitter (LA) have joined forces to push for the removal of language weakening rules on big banks in the spending bill.

The two senators wrote a joint letter calling on congressional leaders to remove a provision from the $1.1 trillion spending bill that would loosen rules on derivatives trading established in the Dodd-Frank financial reform law.

Read the letter below.

Despite a Democratic revolt led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), it’s unlikely the language will be stripped from the massive spending bill. It narrowly cleared a hurdle in the House on Thursday, and is poised for a full House vote later in the day. If it passes, the Senate is expected to take it up shortly after. The White House has said it objects to the Dodd-Frank provision, but supports the overall bill anyway.

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  1. Avatar for enon enon says:

    this actually looks like it gaining some traction… msnbc briefly covered warren’s senate speech she’s giving now and it’s worth checking out. several senators must be getting some feedback, because they’re starting to speak out about it. durbin is also on board… clinton must be getting heartburn watching warren…

    edit: although it looks likely to lose, warren is certainly getting out in front on this. and her knowledge and ability to explain cannot be understated.

  2. Avatar for byteme byteme says:

    I predict it’ll pass with the provision still in there. The big banks own Congress and Obama isn’t going to pick a fight with them either even if it would be to everyone’s benefit.

  3. If this passes, I will un-register as a Democrat which means I will no longer be able to vote in primaries here in Georgia.

  4. The wording in the bill is EXACTLY the same as what CitiBank submitted to them.

    word for word.

  5. Strange bedfellows - most reusable headline ever when talking about David Vitter.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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