Shocked Legislators Weigh Next Move

The efforts of Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner were not enough to quell a revolt within their parties that killed the financial bailout bill today. The bipartisan opposition to the bill reflected in the 228-205 vote—95 Democrats and 133 Republicans dissented—reflects liberal representatives’ unease with rescuing highly paid executives and the GOP’s displeasure with a decidedly non-free-market solution, the Washington Post reports.

The finger-pointing started even before it became clear that another vote would not take place immediately, the AP reports. Republicans were quick to blame Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who blasted the Bush administration's policies on the House floor as the debate wound down. Her remarks "caused a number of members that we thought we could get, to go south," said John Boehner. Barney Frank fired back: "Because somebody hurt their feelings, they decided to punish the country."
(More bailout stories.)