Quotes Reveal Prior AIG Knowledge

While the Obama Administration continues to insist that they did not know of the AIG bonuses until just recently, Democrats from all over the board are making it clear that this is untrue. After Sen. Chris Dodd admitted he added the loophole to permit the bonuses, Republicans have dominated the scene on this issue. Since then, others have come forth with revealing information. Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence shared the following quotes this morning on the House floor:

"I will say that I talked to most of the key members of the Obama team and I was not able to convince them of the value of the amendment that I authored with Senator Snowe."

"I think it is unfortunate. I think it was an opportunity to send a careful, well-targeted message, which would have communicated how strongly the Administration felt about blocking these excessive bonuses. I wasn't able to convince them."

--Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Huffington Post, March 17, 2009

“The administration had problems with that amendment…”

“I didn't negotiate with myself.  I wasn't trying to change it on my own…the administration [had] expressed reservations. They asked for modifications.”

--Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), CNN, March 18, 2009

"I am sick and tired of hearing the administration and the Secretary of the Treasury say, 'I just found out about it.'"

--Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa), Washington Post, March 19, 2009

These bonuses were unacceptable and it seems like some political leaders were just hoping no one would notice.