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Business

Senate Passes Wall Street Bill

The Democratic-led Senate has pushed through the largest rewrite of financial regulations since the aftermath of the Great Depression. But some Republicans and liberal Democrats say the bill, which must be reconciled with a similar House measure, falls short of its goal.

Senate Passes Wall Street Bill

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Politics

Senate Approves Sweeping Financial Overhaul

The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a sweeping measure to overhaul the rules for Wall Street. The bill still has to be reconciled with a similar House measure.

Senate Approves Sweeping Financial Overhaul

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Business

Financial Overhaul Examines Credit Rating Agencies

As the Senate finishes up its financial regulatory bill, another key player in the economic meltdown is getting some scrutiny: credit rating agencies. They were giving favorable ratings to questionable financial products. Under new proposals, product issuers could no longer shop around for rating agencies -- they would be assigned by the SEC.

Financial Overhaul Examines Credit Rating Agencies

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Business

Auto Dealers Try To Steer Clear Of New Regulations

In financial regulatory bills in Congress, some lawamakers are proposing a consumer financial protection agency. Only one constituency has made headway against it: auto dealers. The House bill carves them out from under the scrutiny of the proposed lending watchdog. An amendment pending in the Senate would do the same. It's one of several such measures aimed at taming the watchdog.

Auto Dealers Try To Steer Clear Of New Regulations

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Politics

GOP Fails In Bid To End Support For Fannie, Freddie

Republicans say they want the government-backed institutions to compete on a level playing field with the private sector. But Democrats say pulling government support for the struggling organizations will ultimately hurt average Americans.

GOP Fails In Bid To End Support For Fannie, Freddie

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Business

Senate Rejects GOP Consumer Protection Plan

The dispute over the creation of a consumer financial protection agency has been at the center of the debate of a measure trying to overhaul regulations on banks. A Republican proposal to dilute consumer provisions was defeated Thursday. Democrats and the president argued that the GOP proposal would have "gutted" consumer protections.

Senate Rejects GOP Consumer Protection Plan

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Business

Financial Overhaul Goes Forward On Bipartisan Votes

Senate leaders on the financial regulatory bill have reached a bipartisan agreement on an orderly way to liquidate failing banks. That clears the way for full debate on the measure. But senators still face disagreements over consumer protection and derivatives.

Financial Overhaul Goes Forward On Bipartisan Votes

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Politics

GOP Gives Life To Bill Overhauling Financial Regs

The financial regulatory bill has made it to the Senate floor for debate. Republicans had successfully blocked it three times. But late Wednesday, under threat of an all night session, they relented and let the bill go forward. Republicans say it was worth it because they have gotten some concessions on the bill, and will attempt to change it on the Senate floor.

GOP Gives Life To Bill Overhauling Financial Regs

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Politics

Republicans Stall Crucial Vote On Financial Rules

Senate Republicans have successfully blocked Democrats from bringing up a sweeping overhaul of the rules governing Wall Street. But Majority Leader Harry Reid joined them in voting no, giving himself the right under Senate rules to call for another vote to end the GOP filibuster. He could do that as soon as Tuesday afternoon.

Republicans Stall Crucial Vote On Financial Rules

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Politics

Bipartisanship Aside, Financial Bill Faces Decision

It's showdown time Monday on the financial regulations bill. After a week of back-and-forth, Republicans will have to decide whether to go along with a bill that creates a new consumer protection bureau, regulates derivatives and puts in place a system for winding down banks considered "too big to fail."

Bipartisanship Aside, Financial Bill Faces Decision

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Business

Derivatives: Major Player In Economic Troubles

A Senate panel on Wednesday plans to take up a measure imposing regulations on over-the-counter derivatives — the privately traded financial contracts that businesses use to hedge their bets on the value of a commodity or investment. The measure would effectively require Wall Street banks to spin off their derivatives trading desks. Republicans say it's overkill, and could drive the derivatives market overseas.

Derivatives: Major Player In Economic Troubles

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Politics

Democrats Eye Financial Reform Amid Goldman Woes

With Goldman Sachs facing a lawsuit from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the effort to get financial regulatory legislation on the Senate floor is getting a fillip. But Republicans show no signs of backing down their opposition to the current bill.

Democrats Eye Financial Reform Amid Goldman Woes

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Politics

Are GOP Warnings Of Permanent Bailouts True?

Here's the main talking point in the GOP assault on the financial regulations bill: It would create a permanent, taxpayer-financed bailout system for troubled financial companies. But how accurate is that claim?

Are GOP Warnings Of Permanent Bailouts True?

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