NBC reports this statement from Sen. Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts):
"I've spent the past week reviewing the Wall Street reform bill. I appreciate the efforts to improve the bill, especially the removal of the $19 billion bank tax. As a result, it is a better bill than it was when this whole process started. While it isn't perfect, I expect to support the bill when it comes up for a vote. It includes safeguards to help prevent another financial meltdown, ensures that consumers are protected, and it is paid for without new taxes. That doesn't mean our work is done. Further reforms are still needed to address the government's role in the financial crisis, including significant changes to the way Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operate."
Does this mean Sen. Brown is done shopping for changes? He got a break allowing banks to invest 3 percent of their capital in hedge funds, since his state has a lot of them. And then he got Democrats to strip a provision for $19 billion in new fees from banks, in a way that doesn't necessarily make sense. Would he like sprinkles on top? Fries with that? It looks like, for now, he expects not.





Perhaps Mr. Brown's staff informed him of the angry mail he was receiving from his constituents/us and our neighbours in MA.