Senator Corker To Help Work Out Differences On Financial Reform Bills

Tennessee Senator Bob Corker is getting one more chance to leave his imprint on the financial reform legislation winding its way thorough Congress.

After more than a year of trying to craft a bi-partisan compromise on financial reform, Corker accused Democrats of blocking out the GOP and he cast a “no” vote. But Corker was named to the conference committee that’s tasked with combining the Senate and House bills.

“Improving the bill so that it doesn’t do as much damage to our country and doesn’t restrict capital in such a way that we end up, you know, hurting our ability to create jobs.”

Corker has been critical of the bill’s creation of a consumer protection bureau. He also failed to get minimal loan standards included. Corker says he probably won’t win those battles in conference and doubts he’ll switch his vote.

“I’m not Pollyanna, okay. I mean I realize the politics of financial reform, and I’m not necessarily expecting the world to change in conference but look I certainly will go into it hopeful we can make some positive changes.”

Democrats hope to finish combining the bills and get the reform signed into law in the next six weeks.