Watchdog sees huge U.S. bill for bank bailout

[katty]

more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32010841/ns/business-us_business/

updated 1 hour, 47 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The government's maximum exposure to financial institutions since 2007 could total nearly $24 trillion, or about $80,000 for every American, the watchdog overseeing the federal government financial bailout said Monday.

The whopping amount compiled by the inspector general for the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program takes into account about 50 initiatives and programs set up by the Bush and Obama administrations as well as by the Federal Reserve.

Many of the programs are backed by collateral and the $23.7 trillion represents the gross, not net, exposure that the government could face. No one has suggested that the full amount, in fact, will be used.

[MarjorieG]

1. I'd say more Bush than Obama, and why publicize now, when health care will be deficit neutral.

[bemildred]

2. And that is still not all of it. nt