Franken urges 'no blank check' in bailout bill

Al Franken
DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken called on Congress today to ensure it maintains its oversight authority of any bailout plan.
MPR Photo/Mark Zdechlik

DFL Senate candidate Al Franken says Congress should not give the Bush administration a "blank check" as it considers a $700 billion plan to bail out the financial industry.

Franken says any plan should include independent oversight by Congress. He also says that taxpayers should get an equity stake in companies that are being bailed out.

Like other Democrats in Congress, Franken says that CEOs of such companies should not receive excessive salaries. And the candidate is calling for a freeze of home foreclosures.

Franken is challenging Senator Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican.