Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise to support the Chambliss-Shelby derivative substitute, and I am very pleased to indicate that I am a cosponsor of that amendment. There is no doubt, when you are talking about derivatives, you are talking about contractual obligations that are as complicated as any financial industry in our system. So going about trying to figure out how best to regulate them is no easy task. I think that is acknowledged on both sides. Both the Banking and the Agriculture Committees have wrestled with what is the best approach to regulating this market that, to date, has been somewhat unregulated, to say the least. I regret to say that the current derivatives title that is in the bill being debated--if you study it--is overregulation 101. I worry about the host of unintended consequences that will beset our economy if it passes in its current form. It is not accidental that there has been article after article pointing out how much heartburn there is on both sides of the aisle relative to the current proposal that is being debated. The Chambliss-Shelby derivatives substitute is a sensible approach. I have talked to dozens and dozens of those impacted. I have to tell you they are very concerned about the downside impact on our economy. They say it is unnecessary with the new, robust clearing regime that is in place. Yet the Dodd bill has an exchange requirement. Why would we not enact meaningful clearing regulations and then add another layer on top, if necessary?…”