Al Franken: “let me say how thankful I am that Senator Dodd has worked with us to get my amendment to a vote. I know how hard he has…”

“let me say how thankful I am that Senator Dodd has worked with us to get my amendment to a vote. I know how hard he has been working on this bill and how precious floor time is during this debate. Last week I proposed an amendment with Senator Schumer and Senator Bill Nelson to reform our Nation's credit rating industry. Today I am thrilled to announce that Senators Grassley, Kaufman, Durbin, Harkin, Klobuchar, Levin, Wyden, and Begich have joined as cosponsors. Senator Grassley, of course, is the ranking member of the Finance Committee and a senior member of the Budget Committee. Senator Levin led the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations which revealed some of the credit rating industry's worst abuses. Senator Kaufman has also been a leading critic of the rating agencies, pointing out how these agencies kept AAA ratings 'rolling off the assembly,' despite consistent and increasing indications that they were totally unwarranted. Senators Durbin, Harkin, and Klobuchar have long established themselves as strong voices on behalf of consumers. Over 20 of my colleagues have now cosponsored my amendment, including senior members of the Senate Finance and Banking Committees.”