Good Morning I'm Jessica Weinstein, and this is Power Breakfast from
Capitol News Connection.
With more than a trillion tax dollars tied up in the Troubled Asset
Relief Program and stimulus spending, congress is trying to figure out
how to account for every penny.
HOYER: "We are for very substantial oversight of TARP and how it's spent. We're concerned about allegations that TARP money was misused."
(.10)
Today house majority leader Steny Hoyer and others will learn more about
those allegations. The TARP special inspector general will tell
congress that parts of the program are ripe for fraud. He's already
begun at least 20 criminal investigations.
States and cities will also report today on how they're spending their
stimulus dollars. Pennsylvania's auditor general has already said he
doesn't have enough auditors to keep up. Congressman Edolphus Towns -
democrat of New York - wants to provide money - for more ...and yup, he
sees the irony.
TOWNS: "One would say, why do want to give more money after you've given 787 billion, but the point is, we want to make sure that the 787 billion
is going to do what we want it to do." (.11)
Senator John Ensign, republican of Nevada.
ENSIGN: "I don't care how many auditors that you hire, when you have that massive amount of money going out that quickly, you're going to
have a lot of abuses in this." (.07)
Congress is also half-way through picking its teams for the upcoming
budget battle. House conferees were announced yesterday. The senate
announces its picks - today. So far, house democrats want to push
through health care with a simple majority that would avoid a Senate
filibuster.
And finally, it's take your children to work day....when Speaker Nancy
Pelosi invites staff & reporters' kids to ask a question at her press
conference. Some Capitol Hill visitors have some ideas for them. (:28)
"What's it like, like having so much power?" (:03)
"I'd ask if America should apologize for its injustices in slavery in
the past." (:05)
"Lots of people aren't really caring if they like, drive big cars that
pollute the air. If you know it's going to pollute the air, why would
you do it?" (:07)
Speaker Pelosi - I know you're listening. I hope you've got the
answers.
And that's Power Breakfast for Capital News Connection. (:06)
