Jon Tester: “I rise to speak in strong support of Senator Bennet's amendment to begin winding down the Wall Street bailout once and…”

“I rise to speak in strong support of Senator Bennet's amendment to begin winding down the Wall Street bailout once and for all. I also want to express my appreciation for Senator Bennet's effectiveness and stick-to-itiveness in working on this for some time and being able to get this through. This is a very important amendment. As Senator Bennet has said, it will not solve our debt problems, but it is a step in the right direction. I appreciate his vision and leadership. Montanans were disgusted by the reckless actions of big, greedy Wall Street banks that brought this country to the brink of another Depression. I voted against both the bailouts of Wall Street and the U.S. auto industry because I thought taxpayers were getting a raw deal. I don't believe in bailouts. Why? Whether you are a family farmer or a hot-shot executive, the opportunity that allows us to fail is the same opportunity that allows us to succeed. And America's taxpayers--Main Street small businesses and working families--should never have to pay for the sins of Wall Street. That is why I am pleased to join Senator Bennet on this amendment to ensure that we get the maximum value for the taxpayer dollars spent through the TARP bailout. I opposed the bailout then and I oppose it now. But at a minimum, we should recapture taxpayer investments and unused Recovery Act funds to pay down the debt.”