VOA标准英语10月-House Approaches Critical Friday Vote on Financia

The House of Representatives is approaching a crucial vote expected Friday on Senate-passed legislation aimed at rescuing the U.S. financial markets. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, where congressional leaders from both parties are working hard to ensure that the measure passes.

Party leaders are taking no chances this time, after Democratic and Republican leaders fell short of the votes needed to pass the legislation earlier in the week. That triggered the largest ever single closing point loss on Wall Street, which helped spur Senate leaders to action.

In a 74 to 25 vote, the Senate approved a revised version of the measure Wednesday, adding provisions it is hoped will persuade opponents in the House to switch their votes.
　

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 16 Sep 2008

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says tax relief and other provisions the Senate added to the bill do not change its main mission.

"Congress must act, we must intervene, we have to send a message of confidence to the markets, as we protect the taxpayer," said Nancy Pelosi.

At the White House, President Bush met with small business owners from the northeast United States, and stressed the importance of a positive vote in the House.

"The bill that is before the House of Representatives tomorrow, is a bill that has got the best chance of providing liquidity¹ credit, providing credit, providing money, so small businesses and medium-sized businesses can function," said President Bush.
　

President Bush speaks to reporters during his meeting with business leaders regarding the financial crisis at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building across from the White House in Washington, 02 Oct 2008

In its current form, greatly expanded from an original Bush administration proposal, the legislation would authorize² as much as $700 billion for the government to purchase de-valued mortgage-backed and other securities from stressed financial firms.

Other points include a strong oversight³ board, steps to avert⁴ further home foreclosures and limiting large pay outs to executives who leave firms involved in the plan.

Among new additions, the government would increase to $250,000 the amount of insurance the government provides for Americans' bank accounts.

On Thursday, Democratic and Republican leaders each said the other side must persuade its respective members to vote for the legislation.

President Bush and administration officials joined in the effort, telephoning lawmakers through the day.

A group of House Republicans held a news conference outside the Capitol to complain about add-ons to the legislation. Among them were 20 lawmakers who voted against the financial measure last Monday.

In a proposed amendment⁵, they would eliminate un-related spending the Senate added to the legislation, and limit to $250 billion dollars the amount Congress would authorize initially⁶ to purchase securities.
　

Representative Steve LaTourette, 02 Oct 2008

Ohio Republican Steve LaTourette and Alabama's Spencer Bachus:

LATOURETTE: "One, we believe it [the bill] would fly out of the House and pass, and, two, when that occurs, this group that we collected are sufficient to provide the 12 votes necessary that were short on Monday."
　

Representative Spencer Bachus, 02 Oct 2008 (VOA photo - D. Robinson)

BACHUS: "In November we come back. Between now and November we should be in session. We should be considering alternatives, we should be having hearings, we should do what we should have done but we maybe couldn't have done [before]."

As Representative Bachus suggested, their amendment would have Congress follow through with scheduled hearings on the financial market crisis in coming weeks, and lawmakers would reconvene in November to reconsider next steps.

The House is scheduled to convene⁷ Friday morning, but the timing⁸ for consideration remains⁹ uncertain.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters Thursday, Democrats¹⁰ would have to be very confident they have sufficient votes before bringing the measure to the floor.

1 liquidity   

n.流动性，偿债能力，流动资产

参考例句：

• The bank has progressively increased its liquidity.银行逐渐地增加其流动资产。
• The demand for and the supply of credit is closely linked to changes in liquidity.信用的供求和流动资金的变化有密切关系。

2 authorize   

v.授权，委任；批准，认可

参考例句：

• He said that he needed to get his supervisor to authorize my refund.他说必须让主管人员批准我的退款。
• Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb.只有总统才能授权使用原子弹。

3 oversight   

n.勘漏，失察，疏忽

参考例句：

• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
• Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。

4 avert   

v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等)

参考例句：

• He managed to avert suspicion.他设法避嫌。
• I would do what I could to avert it.我会尽力去避免发生这种情况。

5 amendment   

n.改正，修正，改善，修正案

参考例句：

• The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
• The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。

6 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

7 convene   

v.集合，召集，召唤，聚集，集合

参考例句：

• The Diet will convene at 3p.m. tomorrow.国会将于明天下午三点钟开会。
• Senior officials convened in October 1991 in London.1991年10月，高级官员在伦敦会齐。

8 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

9 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

10 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》