Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), ranking Republican on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today issued the following statement regarding the status of financial regulatory reform. Read the full text after the jump.
“There are two bedrock principles on which I will not compromise: the safety and soundness of the financial system and taxpayer protection against bailouts. I fully support enhancing both consumer protection and safety and soundness regulation. I will not support a bill that enhances one at the expense of the other, however. In order to strike the appropriate balance they must be integrated with each other, not separated from each other.
“Consumer protection is not the only issue that remains unresolved. We must craft a resolution regime that ensures taxpayers will never again bear the losses for risks taken in the private marketplace. I will not agree to any legislation until I am satisfied this goal is also achieved.
“I remain hopeful that a bipartisan agreement can be reached on these and other outstanding issues, including derivatives regulation and corporate governance. I remain willing to work with Chairman Dodd to see whether that is possible.”
