Bailout Plan Now In Hands Of House
Bailout Plan Now In Hands Of House Save Email Print
Rep. Terry backs bill
Posted: 12:18 PM Oct 2, 2008
Last Updated: 5:48 AM Oct 3, 2008
Reporter: Jodi Baker
Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com

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The House of Representatives is expected to vote around Midday Friday on a new economic bailout plan. The $700 billion plan sailed through the Senate Wednesday by a vote of 74-25. So what makes this bill different from the one rejected on Monday?

After the House rejected the first plan Monday the stock market took a trillion dollar hit. A new version passed by the Senate includes some add-ons aimed at swaying lawmakers who had voted no.

Bailout backers hope to get the same support in the House after adding $110 billion in tax breaks and upping the federal deposit insurance cap from $100,000 to $250,000.

"It's a much stronger bill with much better protection for the taxpayers and so I'm probably going to vote for this bill when it comes up,” says Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry.

Iowa Congressman Steve King is voting no. "It's still a $700 billion taxpayer funded bailout of speculative investments on Wall Street."

King says the plan doesn't address underlying problems like the need to overhaul Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and move them toward privatization.

"We should apply those free market solutions. If not, there will be a lot bigger bill that will be presented to the taxpayers down the line somewhere."

Terry says action is needed now. "We're faced with this situation where we either help secure our economy or endure the consequences of it." Consequences, he says, in the stock market, business sector and also with home mortgages.

"I think you have to do it,” says Dave Lucks. “I'm in the industry and it's not a Wall Street bailout. It is a bailout for everybody."

"I think it's time for Americans to say, enough," says Hele Spivack.

Enough is the battle cry of taxpayers opposed to the plan.

“I have to show the leadership here, take the criticism that I'm surely going to get and do the right thing," says Terry.

The right thing depends on who you ask. King says 88 percent of people who've contacted him are still against a bailout. Both he and Terry expect this bill will pass when voted on.

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln issued a statement saying he doesn't know how he'll vote, but that he has "serious concerns" about the "construct" of this legislation.

Channel 6 News has not heard back from Congressman Adrian Smith.

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Posted by: No One on Oct 6, 2008 at 12:10 AM
SOCIALISM/CRIMINAL! SOCIALISM/CRIMINAL! IS ANYONE LISTENING? DOES ANYONE CARE?

Posted by: John on Oct 3, 2008 at 06:28 PM
I see that Nelson and Terry voted yes on the bailout but when I checked the bill I didn't see a new exit to the hunting lodge or new foot bridge. Did they get any pork for their vote or was it just a gimme? Enlighten me will you!

Posted by: Jerry on Oct 3, 2008 at 02:24 PM
Voting for either candidate is still voting to sanction congressional criminal behavior. What a joke to think Esch would be any different. I'm voting for myself! At least I know I'm a real conservative.

Posted by: Tim on Oct 3, 2008 at 12:58 PM
As much as I like Lee as a person, I will have to hold my nose and vote for Esch. This large of an abdication of responsibility can not be tolerated nor rewarded. Maybe your dad can get you a spot on Kaleidoscope.

Posted by: Shawn M on Oct 3, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Well "Representative????" Terry Just sold all his constituants down the river......I sure hope they do the same for him come election time!!! Must be a misprint, I could swear it has a R next to his name. It should be a D as in Disaster, Dunce, Dunderhead, Doublecrosser.....I think he "MIGHT" get my point.

Posted by: Sally on Oct 3, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Hey folks dont forgetafter we bail out the crooks we then will have to bail out californa. And pelosi, I wonder if china and russia are next in the bail out list , Heck will probaly take them over,Gosh darn shucks . Im just a average Veep,

Posted by: Jake on Oct 3, 2008 at 11:56 AM
JTB: If there are 400 million people in this country and you gave each one a million dollars, that would cost the government: $400,000,000,000,000. That's significantly more than $700 billion.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 3, 2008 at 11:52 AM
LoneRealist, of course this economic downturn was manipulated, duh. Ever notice gas prices start dropping when the federal government is getting ready to manipulate (or at least try to manipulate) public opinion. It shows just what kind of power the Bush administration holds over the oil industry. The immediate question now is who's buying up all these devalued stocks and bad mortgages

Posted by: Mike on Oct 3, 2008 at 10:33 AM
While listening to the House debate, I am just sickened by the claims that those whose votes have switched to YEA are declaring that they are doing this for the good of the American people. If they truely believed that, they wouldn't be changing sides. The American public is still by and large opposed to helping the rich get richer on our dime. How many of you have a savings account over $200K or are going to be installing solar panels this year? No permanent ban on short-selling and we will not punish those who are continuing to make money on our misery. Consider that MOST if not all of these fat cats would be suffering MORE than the average Joe if our government didn't use OUR money to bail them out (most of their wealth is in stock options, not cash). This bailout has NEVER been about the American people but keeping Paulson's old boy network afloat. TO OUR PATHETIC SPINELESS LEADERSHIP:Thanks for nothing! The next few months will bear no fruit for the lowly taxpayer just debt.

Posted by: J on Oct 3, 2008 at 07:45 AM
We will all be saved by Planet of the Apes star, Nancy Pelosi! Thank goodness Congress has a plan to bail out all their Wall Street buddies in an election year and pass the bill on to the taxpayers. Thank you Congress for making me and other hard working Americans pay for the poor decisions of the few.

Posted by: John on Oct 3, 2008 at 07:31 AM
It's not the federal goverments job to bail out financial institutions or regulate the economy. Neither should it be the burden of the taxpayers. It is not the federal governments job to police the world, build nations, or render foreign aid. Foreign aid should be the provence of private organizations. One might chose to donate to these organizations or not, but it is not the federal government job to force it upon the taxpayer. It is the federal governments job to secure our borders and defend our country. That's not going to happen with our troops over sea fighting an abstract wars against peoples only defending their homelands. Let's see, we have millions upon millions of people living illegally in the U.S. which come from a country whose president on 9/11/07 demanded that that the U.S. surrender her sovereignty. There's our biggest threat, and the federal governments main bound by the constitution duty.

Posted by: ME on Oct 3, 2008 at 03:37 AM
Is the plan posted on line yet? I would love to read it just for the humor of it. It is the first step to socialism. I don't like how it gives the treasury secretary power over the mortgages and being able to suspend the constitution. Anyone remember eminent domain from a few years back? And all the pork in this. I'll wager dollars to donuts that "global warming" stuff is in there, too! This gives nothing to the honest, everyday Joe who is just trying to keep a roof over his head, food in his belly, shoes on his feet and clothes on his back. If you believe this bill is a good idea, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. Funny how they are pushing so quickly right before the election, too, trying to make the other side look bad. I say vote them all out and let's start all over with fresh blood.

Posted by: RM on Oct 3, 2008 at 02:13 AM
700 billion plus 110 billion in tax breaks equals 810 billion no matter how they try to spin it, pretty soon it will be a trillion dollar pill that we the taxpayers will have to swallow.

Posted by: Shawn M. on Oct 2, 2008 at 11:29 PM
My new motto for this Congress.... Come November, We'll Remember!! We'll remember every member that wants to vote for this boondoggle! I called Congressman Fortenberry's office today. Thanked him for his last vote and asked him to hang tough with the people he represents!! This is just going to cost me, my kids, and my grandkids, if not more generations!!! I also let him know it was interesting that I couldn't email any Republican's but had no problem sending to Democrats.

Posted by: LoneRealist on Oct 2, 2008 at 09:58 PM
Suckers, every one of you. ANYBODY that supports this bailout is a complete idiot. Like sheep you all follow the herd, and trust your corrupted government to make YOUR decisions FOR you. Truth of the matter is, this manipulation of our economy was INTENTIONAL. Soon you will be OWNED and Free Enterprise will be a distant memory. The American Dream is dissolving right before your eyes. Congratulations. YOU let this happen. How? IGNORANCE. How involved to YOU get in staying informed about policies of government? There are so many startling hidden truths that would scare you out of the country. FEAR is how they manipulate us. The government creates the illusion, the media presents it to you. Think 9/11 was a terrorist attack? You are naive. Google "World Government", "Central Banks", and "North American Union". Agendas to educate yourself with. Take control NOW, people...before it's too late.

Posted by: DHB on Oct 2, 2008 at 09:47 PM
That is true, the restrictions on credit were relaxed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae during Clinton's administration. People who had no business having mortgages were given home loans. I'm with Brian...we're doing fine, we're doing slightly worse with higher gas prices and grocery prices [so a lot of little "extras" we have to think twice about], we don't have a lot invested in the stock market (what there is, in IRA's, is in government-backed Treasury bills and bonds, not high-risk mutual funds) and under the rules of my company, I'll probably be working until I'm 73 in order to get my 100% pension. Unlike a lot of people who created this mess, I go to work, I pay my bills, I often pay a little extra, and I pay on time. And we refinanced our house about 5 years ago to get a 15-year mortgage. Sure the payment is a little higher but even after 5 years we still have equity. Maybe I need to be the Treasury Secretary. If there isn't the money, America doesn't get it. Whatever "it" is.

Posted by: TJ on Oct 2, 2008 at 09:44 PM
I thought I liked Mr. Terry. I guess I was wrong. This whole bail out plan stinks. Anyone ever thought about stopping the imports from China or charging 100 dollars a bushel for corn and beans in trade for the expensive oil we buy. Ask the Democrats how much money they got back from Fannie May and Freddie Mac. Its time to clean out both houses and start with this years election and go from there.

Posted by: Terry on Oct 2, 2008 at 08:24 PM
We might need to do a bailout, because of Congressional screw-ups since 1979 in mandating loans to unqualified borrowers, but the pork that has been ladeled onto this bill is obsene. We need another american revolution to get these scumbags out of office.

Posted by: Bill on Oct 2, 2008 at 07:54 PM
You people are pointing fingers. How about blaming the SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for this mess? Their actions caused people that should not have gotten loans for homes to do so. Warren Buffett makes $150,000.00 per year. There should be a cap on what the CEO's make. I wish I could earn %150,000 per year but I don't. My wife and I live within our means. A lot of people aren't. Why does everyone EXPECT the government to take care of them? What we have, we earned! Our house is 2 years away from being paid for. We have fairly new cars that are paid for. People need to be accountable for what they can and can not afford.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Good bye Lee Terry. I will remember this at the polls. People are still concerned about the economy and spending will cease. We're still in trouble.

Posted by: Jon on Oct 2, 2008 at 06:32 PM
"We need conservatives in congress, horray for the moral conservatives!" "Finally, we have people on Capital hill who do the right thing for us voters!" Welp, at least they're not having sex in the White House!...that we know of... (and we wonder why they treat us people like we are stupid)

Posted by: Brian on Oct 2, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Quote from Lee. "We're faced with this situation where we either help secure our economy or endure the consequences of it." My input is I have been doing fine and been able to endure our economy. I'm doing great. Not perfect but great. I wish the would lower tuition rates for college but you know what I am enduring.

Posted by: David on Oct 2, 2008 at 05:15 PM
I think its time for a new political party, Republicans and Democrats are worthless

Posted by: JTB on Oct 2, 2008 at 05:07 PM
Whats the population of the US? 400 million? Why doesn't the government give every US citizen a million dollars? It would be required that it must be used for debt first. This would save homes, marriages, and lives. Then the left over money would be used to stimulate the economy. $400 million < $700 Billion

Posted by: David on Oct 2, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Now I know why I have never voted for Terry. What a waste for a congressman.

Posted by: jim on Oct 2, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Lee Terry knows a socialist program when he sees one. Why not let the Kremlin have a say? Because, really, the govt. is willing to bail out the big boys. Isnt' that right Vladimir?

Posted by: Frank on Oct 2, 2008 at 04:20 PM
yOU HAVE just lost our vote

Posted by: Hang "Em High! on Oct 2, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I'd like to see this put to public vote! But then, there'd be no way these "representatives" of the public could save their banker buddies. I say let the who system come crashing down and start over, it's going to happen eventually. If I didn't have kids I'd stand back and laugh at the whole deal. It's sickening for me to think my kids are going to be taxed around 40% of their income to pay for our stupidity. One last note, why can't these wall street goofs do the honorable thing and just do head dives off their high rise buildings like they did in the 30's?

Posted by: Disgusted on Oct 2, 2008 at 04:01 PM
The only reason it got yes votes in the Senate was the extra PORK. Well, that and that all the Senators were afraid their kickbacks from the banking industry would dry up. Same reasons the House will vote for it. None of them work for us anymore, it's all for how much cash they get to take home from the lobbyists. Ben Stein got it right, we live in a kleptocracy.

Posted by: OmahaAnnie on Oct 2, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Ugh. I am still steaming. It began in 1999 when the Democrats pushed for an ease of lending requirements. If congressmen and senators do not take classes in micro and macro economics, commercial banking, and general finance, they have no business pushing through laws that affect the financial markets. Keep politics out of Wall Street, and Main Street will be fine.

Posted by: Mary on Oct 2, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I think he caved in to big business here in Omaha. sigh. There was a fear of banks going busy. Not having over 100 grand in any of them that didn't bother me. My retirement fund? I'll be working till I'm 70 plus or until I drop. Didn't I hear Obama's financial advisor made 90 mil in 6 years? I'm in the wrong line of work.

Posted by: Mark on Oct 2, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Lee Terry is gutless wimp. I know I will not be better off with Jim Esch, but I will not vote for a wimp who does not listen his voters. What has happened to the Republican party? What has happened to common sense? What has happened to reponsibility and individual freedom?

Posted by: R on Oct 2, 2008 at 03:02 PM
The CEO's and other no goods are the ones that need to bail themselves out!!! Not the tax payers!! But Lee Terry lives so high on the hog its no wonder. How much kickback is he getting for his "YES"??? If I racked up Credit Card debit, etc, I would be expected to clean up after myself, not expect everyone else to clean up after me!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:50 PM
heres some of the pork in this bill $223M for Alaskan fisherman $192M for rum producers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands $128M for auto racing $33M for companies operating in American Samoa $10M for film & TV production $6M for producers of wooden arrows

Posted by: Jim on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:45 PM
If they didn't like it & actually listened to us voters, then they should have voted against it! A Bad Plan does NOT fix Bad Economic Principles! All of us must live up to our financial responsibilities, STOP living on credit, live within our means & pay our bills! The Government MUST do the same thing!!! And NOT by raising taxes!!! Financial institutions MUST be held accountable for irresponsible banking & lending practices! Tax-Payers should NOT be forced to bail out irresponsible Corporations!!! We need to STOP rewarding them for out-sourcing our jobs!!! CEOs should NOT be rewarded for poorly running their companies!! We need a fair tax system for ALL!!! Tax what we make (income) or what we spend (consumption) without regard to how many kids we have or whether or not we own or rent our home. The present one (tax system) is NOT working!!! Socialism or Communism is not the answer!!! Also we MUST have Welfare reform!!! STOP Pork-barrell Politics!!! The "System" needs to repair itself!

Posted by: Jason on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Lee Terry! Listen up! If you vote 'Yes', I will be sure to vote 'NO' for you!!!!! Let those stupid, no good, SOB's who made this mess make their own way out of it without any of MY tax dollars!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:26 PM
2 Days ago Lee Terry sent us an e-mail saying he was against a bailout. I guess we know what his word is worth.

Posted by: Dave on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Lee Terry is an example of why congress has a 12 percent approval rating.

Posted by: Dude on Oct 2, 2008 at 02:04 PM
at first glance, why is he voting yes...this bill has a lot more pork than the house bill. to me that makes no sense, it is basically the same bill with more pork. He is voting yes, as more and more people realized how this was hitting them....get rid of the pork on a bailout bill...

Posted by: Mae on Oct 2, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Do they really think we're stupid enough to believe we won't get hit with a tax increase? We survived the S&L crashes of the '80's, we'll survive this. This is bad, we the people say NO.

Posted by: Gary on Oct 2, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I sure hope you have another job lined up after your term ends, Mr. Terry, because you are DONE as a Representative!! Not listening to your constituents and voting your own way shows what lack of spine you really have. I deeply regret wasting my vote on you in the past. -It won't happen again!

Posted by: Jeff on Oct 2, 2008 at 01:30 PM
Why didn't you propose better options for the House version? Because you're an idiot. Another reason why I'll vote for Esch in November. Terry is worthless and unproductive in the House. Check his record.

Posted by: Kendahl on Oct 2, 2008 at 01:20 PM
I don't know which I am more angry at -- the stupid, greedy SOBs who borrowed money that they can't repay or the stupid, greedy SOB's who lent it to them. I hope the bail out passes. Bad as it is, the alternative is worse. What's most unfair is that the cost will be born by those who lived within their means and saved for the future since they are the only ones with any money.

Posted by: Eric W on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:59 PM
This makes me so angry. I can hardly stand it. I live in Blair and I have to drive in to work everyday. My taxes are going to go up and now my wife and I are trying to have a baby and now I don't think that we will have a baby because of this bailout. Boy I'm steamy over this. Blood is shooting out of my eyes over this. aaaaahghghghghghgh I can't take it anymore!!!!!! hahghghghghghghghg

Posted by: Dan on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Well Lee, you will NOT be getting my vote!

Posted by: OmahaAnnie on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:54 PM
This bill is filled with pork.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Lee Terry plans to vote yes and I plan to vote no on Lee Terry.

Posted by: Ed on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Tery bailout vote yes < Terry re election vote no . what a flip flopper Have fun at your new job crook.

Posted by: Bill on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:40 PM
What a forgettable figure in Nebraska politics is Terry. He is simply a sheep being lead by the Republican leadership to go against the wishes of his constituency. I doubt many of us agree with the bailout plan, under whatever changes were initiated at the Senate. Too bad Mr. Terry is not as receptive to the people who voted him to office. It is time to vote him out of office and get someone with a backbone to represent our Congressional district.

Posted by: brian on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:38 PM
good bye lee terry! you want leadership you dont have it! anybody in his right mind can see that,thats if you are a american. we see where you stand.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Just one of the many reasons I will vote against Lee Terry.

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