Geithner was hammered by a Republican senator decrying Treasury’s growing power over the American economy.
“This is not mission-creep,” said Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). “This is a stampede of any traditional understanding of constitutional boundaries.”
DeMint called Geithner the chief executive of the American economy. And he didn’t mean it in a good way.
DeMint complained that “we hear very little talk about exit strategies.” He asked Geithner how much of the $700 billion government bailout will be returned to Treasury’s general fund within five to six years.
“That’s hard to say right now,” Geithner said, deflecting: “If we are successful, that money will come back with substantial interest.”
Geithner added that the way the bailout was designed, for each $1 that is paid back, $1 can be lent back out.
“So it’s your understanding that you have $700 billion to use permanently as you see fit?” DeMint asked incredulously.
Geithner wouldn’t take the bait. “I’m not quite sure ‘permanently’ is right,” he said.
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