This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7640872.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US rivals back bail-out package US lawmakers 'agree rescue deal'
(about 1 hour later)
US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain have broadly welcomed an outline multi-billion dollar plan to help shore up the US financial system. US politicians have agreed on the details of $700bn Wall Street bail-out package to be sent to Congress for approval, a Republican negotiator says.
They were speaking after Congressional leaders said "great progress" had been made towards a compromise proposal during late-night talks on Saturday. Senator Judd Gregg said the package could be voted on as early as Monday.
The government wants $700bn (£380bn) to buy bad debts from ailing US financial institutions and ease their finances. "Getting this done soon, promptly is absolutely critical to the state of the markets," he said.
Details of the proposal could be released as early as Sunday. The measures would enable the US Treasury to spend up to $700bn (£380bn) taking over bad debts from ailing financial institutions.
The US administration wants a deal to be announced before markets open in Asia on Monday morning, though it is not yet clear when a bill will be introduced into Congress. It would be the biggest intervention in the markets since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Asked if a bill would be debated on Monday, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, Barney Frank, told the Reuters news agency: "Definitely." "We have given the [treasury] secretary the authority and the resources and the flexibility necessary... to hopefully be able to go forward and stabilize the credit markets and free up the credit markets," Gregg told reporters as he released the proposed plan in Washington.
A vote on the package is expected in the House of Representatives on Monday, with the Senate potentially voting on Wednesday.
US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain have broadly welcomed an outline of the multi-billion dollar plan to help shore up the US financial system.
The US administration wants a deal to be announced before markets open in Asia on Monday morning.
'Necessary step''Necessary step'
The Republican candidate for the presidency, Senator John McCain, said that subject to seeing the specifics of the agreement, he hoped to be able to add his support. Earlier, the Republican candidate for the presidency, Senator John McCain, said that subject to seeing the specifics of the agreement, he hoped to be able to add his support.
When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration Senator Barack ObamaWhen taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration Senator Barack Obama
"I'd like to see the details but hopefully yes, and the outlines that I have read of it that this is something that all of us will swallow hard and go forward with. The option of doing nothing is simply not an acceptable option," he told ABC TV."I'd like to see the details but hopefully yes, and the outlines that I have read of it that this is something that all of us will swallow hard and go forward with. The option of doing nothing is simply not an acceptable option," he told ABC TV.
Mr Obama said he had been encouraged by the progress made by members of Congress, but warned it was "the culmination of a sorry period in our history".Mr Obama said he had been encouraged by the progress made by members of Congress, but warned it was "the culmination of a sorry period in our history".
"When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration. But this step is necessary," he said."When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration. But this step is necessary," he said.
Pay-off restrictionsPay-off restrictions
We've made great progress toward a deal which will be effective for all Americans Henry Paulson Bail-out debate: For and againstDeal sticking pointsQ&A: US $700bn bail-out planWe've made great progress toward a deal which will be effective for all Americans Henry Paulson Bail-out debate: For and againstDeal sticking pointsQ&A: US $700bn bail-out plan
The outline deal gives the treasury secretary powers to oversee the two-year plan, but critics have insisted on the inclusion of greater oversight and reporting. An outline of the deal - which emerged earlier on Sunday - gives the treasury secretary powers to oversee the two-year plan, but critics have insisted on the inclusion of greater oversight and reporting.
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the tentative agreement that appears to have been reached is thought to include a measure to limit the pay for executives of companies which seek financial assistance, which was a key demand of the Democrats.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the tentative agreement that appears to have been reached is thought to include a measure to limit the pay for executives of companies which seek financial assistance, which was a key demand of the Democrats.
At the request of Republicans, who have strongly criticised some elements of the administration's proposal, the accord is believed to include the setting up an insurance program for mortgage-backed securities.At the request of Republicans, who have strongly criticised some elements of the administration's proposal, the accord is believed to include the setting up an insurance program for mortgage-backed securities.
Earlier, a statement from the House of Representatives Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, said the new agreement would see $250bn issued immediately, and another $100bn when the president wanted to spend it.Earlier, a statement from the House of Representatives Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, said the new agreement would see $250bn issued immediately, and another $100bn when the president wanted to spend it.
US House of Representatives speaker Nancy PelosiUS House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi
But the final $350bn would only be released after review and approval by Congress.But the final $350bn would only be released after review and approval by Congress.
There would also be measures to protect taxpayers, who would be given an ownership stake and profit-making opportunities in relation to any assets that were sold.There would also be measures to protect taxpayers, who would be given an ownership stake and profit-making opportunities in relation to any assets that were sold.
It also puts new restrictions on executive compensation for participating companies, including no "golden parachute" payoffs.It also puts new restrictions on executive compensation for participating companies, including no "golden parachute" payoffs.
Earlier on Sunday it was announced that the two-year project would be supervised by a board of officials, including the Federal Reserve chairman, and scrutinised by Congress's investigative arm and an independent inspector general.Earlier on Sunday it was announced that the two-year project would be supervised by a board of officials, including the Federal Reserve chairman, and scrutinised by Congress's investigative arm and an independent inspector general.
Finally, the government could use its power as the owner of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities to help more struggling homeowners modify the terms of their home loans.Finally, the government could use its power as the owner of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities to help more struggling homeowners modify the terms of their home loans.
'All night''All night'
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who took part in the late-night talks, said that Congressional leaders had been "working very hard".US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who took part in the late-night talks, said that Congressional leaders had been "working very hard".
HAVE YOUR SAY NO BAILING OUT! When bankers profit over people the money is theirs only. When bankers lose money the loss is ours. Jon Huhm, Manhattan, New York Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY NO BAILING OUT! When bankers profit over people the money is theirs only. When bankers lose money the loss is ours. Jon Huhm, Manhattan, New York Send us your comments
"We've made great progress toward a deal, which will work and will be effective in the marketplace, and effective for all Americans," he told a news conference."We've made great progress toward a deal, which will work and will be effective in the marketplace, and effective for all Americans," he told a news conference.
But Ms Pelosi said the deal had to be committed to paper before it could be formally agreed.But Ms Pelosi said the deal had to be committed to paper before it could be formally agreed.