OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state’s senators both voted yes on an overhaul of financial regulations that have now passed Congress.
Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell cast their votes Thursday, and the bill passed with a 60-39 Senate vote. It now goes to the White House for President Barack Obama’s signature.
The law will give the government new powers to break up companies that threaten the economy, create a new agency to guard consumers in their financial transactions and monitor financial markets that escaped the oversight of regulators.
Cantwell had been one of two Democrats opposing a version of the bill in May, but she decided to back the measure after enforcement powers over derivatives trading were strengthened.