Republicans have vainly attempted to rationalize their votes against health care and Wall Street reform as opposing government regulation. There’s no regulation issue in the Creating American Jobs and Ending Off-Shoring Act. Still every Republican in the Senate voted against it. They voted to continue forcing U.S. citizens to subsidize corporate off-shoring of American jobs. The GOP said it is right and proper for U.S. citizens to sponsor corporate killing of American manufacturing.

With the Wall Street reform bill finally cleared through Congress, activists and intellectuals are pushing hard to make sure that this bill isn’t the last word Congress utters about Big Finance. We need deeper and more robust reforms, but it’s also critical to ensure that the new bill is implemented as effectively as possible. Part of that means appointing officials with a proven record as robust reformers—people like Elizabeth Warren.

After giving Senator Scott Brown exactly what he wanted and paying for the Wall Street reform bill on the backs of taxpayers by using TARP money instead of the proposed tax on big banks – which in Brown’s twisted world constitutes eliminating a tax – Brown’s still not on board with the final bill.

More than two years after the collapse of Bear Stearns, the House and Senate finally ironed out their differences on Wall Street reform in the wee, small hours of Friday morning. The bill now goes back to both the House and Senate for final approval, but it’s fate in the Senate is uncertain following the defection of Tea Party Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA).

There is an important amendment to the Wall Street reform bill that directly impacts this conflict, and it needs your attention right now. This vote will likely be done by the end of the week. This legislation is essential if we will address the conflict mineral trade — and it only requires transparency from companies; it does not require certification. This is an effort that industry can afford to make.

Two critical Wall Street reforms, once declared dead by U.S. megabanks, are suddenly close to Congressional approval. As the House and Senate iron out the differences between their financial overhauls, it now appears that lawmakers are finally willing to ban banks from gambling with taxpayer money by implementing a strong Volcker Rule, and to end taxpayer subsidies for risky derivatives operations.

There’s no question that Blanche Lincoln is a bad Senator, one who consistently puts the interests of big business over those of her own constituents in Arkansas. Because of that, Bill Halter’s primary challenge put her within an inch of the end of her political career. But now, after that challenge, it’s important to continue observing what effect it has on Lincoln’s behavior. In other words, in what ways will she learn her lesson?

Public Disapproves of Obama on Economy

Barney Frank has lined up with the banks on one of the most important outstanding parts of the financial reform bills.

On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a financial reform package that includes a handful of important reforms, but it won’t fundamentally change the relationship between banks and society. Wall Street still has a vice grip on our economy, and lawmakers still find it very difficult to stand up to bigwig financiers.