House Debate on Legislation to Tax Bonuses on TARP Recipients

This video originally aired on Thursday, March 19, 2009.

About This Video

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, and Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) debate H.R. 1586, legislation introduced that will tax bonuses paid to employees at AIG and certain other companies that receive government bailout funds.

Discussion Questions

  1. Click here to read the text of H.R. 1586. What is the bill’s official title? What is TARP? If enacted into law, what will the bill do? Why was this bill introduced?
  2. Rep. Rangel says he rises, “and moves to suspend the rules to pass H.R. 1586.” What does this mean?
  3. Why does Rep. Rangel support the bill? Why does Rep. Barton not support the bill? Who's argument do you agree with more? Why?
  4. Click here to watch some of the vote and the vote tally of H.R. 1586. How many Republicans and Democrats voted for and against the bill? What happens now with the bill?

Keywords

Bill, LEGISLATIVE, U.S. House of Representatives

Related Subjects/Topics

  • U.S. House of Representatives
  • Separation of Powers

Speakers

  • Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN)
  • Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)