Bank tax could fund jobs bill, Pelosi says

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Senate to give serious look at bank tax

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said lawmakers are taking a serious look at a proposal to tax financial institutions to recoup taxpayers' investments in companies during the financial meltdown.

Pelosi, in response to a question about the bank tax during a briefing, said the Senate is giving "serious consideration" to the tax as lawmakers look for ways to pay for a Democratic agenda that focuses on job creation and education. The House will look at it too, she said.

President Barack Obama proposed the idea of a bank tax earlier this year. It would be 0.15 percent on liabilities of big financial firms.

The tax is seen having broad support among Democrats in the House of Representatives, but this week the lead Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee expressed concern about its impact on consumers.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2210401620100422