Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), responding to Sen. Elizabeth's Warren (D-Mass.) criticism of the $1.1 trillion government spending bill's provision that allows banks to take more risk with taxpayer money, on Friday evening went after Warren and other Democrats who sided against the bill.
"If you follow the lead of the senator of Massachusetts and bring this bill down … people are not going to believe you are mature enough to run the place,” Graham said on the Senate floor. “Don’t follow her lead. She’s the problem."
Graham said Democrats not supporting legislation that would fund the government through September 2015 were asking for another government shutdown. "Welcome to democracy," Graham said, arguing that lawmakers shouldn't expect to get everything they want.
"I'm sure on MSNBC you're going to be well thought of, and on the liberal version of talk radio you'll have your moment with that crowd," Graham said, chiding Warren and other Democrats who deplored what has been called a Wall Street giveaway.
"You're tired, you're frustrated, you're upset about a provision in the bill you don't like," he added of Warren.
Warren took to the Senate floor earlier to skewer Citigroup for infiltrating Washington and influencing policy with the budget bill provision. “I agree with you, Dodd-Frank isn’t perfect," she said in comments directed at the banking giant. "It should have broken you into pieces.”
Citigroup's draft of the provision which has wide support among Republicans, nearly matches language of the bill. Wall Street heavies have been lobbying lawmakers, including J.P.Morgan chief executive Jamie Dimon.
Warren has led the charge against the provision, which would roll back financial reforms by allowing bank subsidiaries insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to trade risky derivatives, potentially putting taxpayers on the hook for losses.
Warren and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), filed an amendment that would strip the provision on Friday.
The bill has mixed support in the Senate, splitting Democrats. The House passed the omnibus bill on Thursday.
Still, the measure appears likely to win Senate passage early next week. President Obama has said he will sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.
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