Senator Moves to Hold Up Bernanke Confirmation

[AllentownJake]

WASHINGTON — Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont said on Wednesday that he would try to block the Senate from confirming Ben S. Bernanke to a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

The move is unlikely to derail Mr. Bernanke’s reappointment, but it could slow the confirmation process and give the Fed’s critics additional opportunity to press their case. As a practical matter, it means Senate Democratic leaders will have to line up 60 votes in favor of Mr. Bernanke rather than a simple majority at a time when the Federal Reserve is under increasing populist attacks from lawmakers on both the right and the left.

Mr. Bernanke will testify on Thursday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate banking committee. He is expected to face criticism for not doing more to prevent the financial crisis, and calls by some lawmakers for a sharply reduced regulatory role in the future.

Mr. Sanders, an independent, is not a member of the Senate banking committee, but he has frequently accused the Federal Reserve of bailing out Wall Street firms and the banking industry at the expense of ordinary citizens.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/business/03fed.html?_r=2&src=twt&twt=nytimes&pagewanted=print

[aquart]

1. Thank you, Bernie. Thank you, Vermont.

[valerief]

2. Thanks, Sen. Sanders!!!! nt

[Swamp Rat]

3. k&r

[BeFree]

4. ....

More Bernies. Less Bushies.

[dana_b]

5. go Bernie!! n/t

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Thank you, Bernie

:patriot:

[nilram]

7. Thank-you Senator Sanders! K&R them all!

Thank you, Bernie! #1, putting a hold on Bernanke, #2, doing it PUBLICLY and not behind-the-scenes.

Four threads on this absolutely worthwhile topic. K&R them all --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7140527
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=114x73012
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7141131
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4168788

(Hm, hoping I'm not breaking too many DU laws here...)

[JVS]

8. Bernie!

[Mithreal]

9. K & R