U.S. Congress Moving Closer To Passing IMF Reforms: Lew

by **Ponee** Thu May 21, 2015 2:30 pm

U.S. Congress Moving Closer To Passing IMF Reforms: Lew
Reuters
May 19, 2015

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress is moving closer to approving IMF reforms, and lawmakers are now trying to find the best timing and vehicle for getting the historic legislation passed, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Tuesday.

U.S. foot-dragging on reforms to the institution has blocked changes meant to give more voting power to emerging economies like China and India, frustrating countries around the world.

The Obama administration supports the reforms but has been unable to persuade the U.S. Congress to pass funding changes necessary for the agreement. The United States can block the IMF reforms because it holds a controlling share of votes.

"I would tell you that the conversations are more about when and how to do it, than they are whether to do it," Lew said about his talks with lawmakers on the IMF reforms. "So I think that is a positive change in the tone of the conversations. ...

"But our intent to do it is not sufficient. Congress needs to act," he said at a conference.

Some U.S. lawmakers worry that the IMF reforms would cost too much at a time of big budget deficits in Washington. They also have criticized the IMF's efforts to help struggling economies in Europe and the risks attached to billion-dollar IMF loans to countries like Greece.

"I don't think any institution can be judged by a record where if someone can find one thing they would have done differently, it becomes the basis for reconsidering the whole purpose of the enterprise," Lew said in response to criticism of the IMF's work in Europe.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-congress-moving-closer-passing-imf-reforms-lew-143207328--business.html

Read More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Monetary_Fund

by TNman Thu May 21, 2015 6:15 pm

The delay in passing these reforms of reducing USA voting rights from 17.5 %, or somewhere thereabouts, is why BRICS and others came up with plan "B" to get past the US.

I suspect that the US has finally seen the writing on the wall and said let's get this done because they are going to do it with us or without us.

U.S. Congress Moving Closer To Passing IMF Reforms: Lew

U.S. Congress Moving Closer To Passing IMF Reforms: Lew

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