Recovering Losses caused by Investment Misconduct

Agreement Reached to Reconcile Financial Reform Bill

Early Friday morning, after weeks of negotiations, a House-Senate committee reached a reconciliation agreement on the financial reform bill.

The agreed upon bill is broad in scope and includes, among other provisions: new consumer protections, increased federal oversight of banks, and changes to how companies can trade derivatives. The bill also creates a new, 10-member council of regulators, led by the Treasury Secretary, whose job will be to monitor threats to the financial system, according to the Associated Press.

In a speech made early Friday morning, President Obama said: "The reforms making their way through Congress will hold Wall Street accountable so we can help prevent another financial crisis like the one that we're still recovering from."

The reconciled bill, which members of the House approved 20-11 and Senate negotiators approved 7-5, must now be passed. Votes were cast along party lines.

When asked whether he will be able to get the new version through the Senate, Obama replied: "You bet." He hopes to sign the bill into law by July Fourth, according to an article by NPR.