VOA标准英语2008年-Congress, Average Americans Continue to Questio

Markets made moderate gains Thursday on news that congressional leaders had agreed in principle to a bailout plan for troubled firms on Wall Street. But a White House meeting later in the day highlighted work that still needs to be done to reach a final agreement. Mike O'Sullivan reports, there is some skepticism in Congress over the plan and also among average Americans.
　
Sen. Chris Dodd, surrounded by other members of Congress, talks with reporters after a meeting on market turmoil¹ on Capitol Hill, 25 Sept. 2008

Key members of Congress announced Thursday they had agreed to the broad outlines of a $700 billion rescue package for failing financial companies, but several congressional Republicans cast doubt on the agreement after a White House meeting late in the afternoon. The meeting included President Bush, Democratic presidential nominee² Barack Obama, Republican nominee John McCain, and leaders of both parties in Congress.

Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama, the senior Republican on the Senate banking³ committee, emerged from the meeting saying there is no agreement, and other fiscal⁴ conservatives in the president's Republican party are reported to be resisting the deal.

Senators McCain and Obama both say they are optimistic an agreement can be reached, but as Senator Obama put it, there is still some work that needs to be done.

Financial markets rose Thursday as they reacted with cautious optimism to news that a bailout agreement may be near. The Dow Jones industrial average finished up 196 points from its opening, although it was down from higher gains earlier in the day.

On what is called Main Street, there is uncertainty⁵ among average Americans about the nation's economy, and some people are skeptical⁶ about the Wall Street bailout plan being proposed in Washington.
　
Dr. Bill Kelly

Los Angeles physician Bill Kelly echoes the comments of many others, saying he knows that something must be done to avert⁷ a financial crisis, but he is not sure the proposed plan is the right one.

"I'm nervous," he admitted. "I think it should be a little slower and they don't really know that it will help."

Kelly wonders if the money might be better spent rebuilding the nation's infrastructure⁸, paying for health and education, or helping⁹ struggling homeowners meet their mortgage payments. Others say that troubled Wall Street firms should be allowed to fail and that the U.S. financial system is resilient enough for the markets to solve their own problems.

The government bailout plan would buy the mortgage-based assets of troubled banks and investment firms, keeping them in business. The assets lost much of their value when housing prices dropped and many homeowners defaulted on their mortgage payments. The rescue plan is intended to reverse what President Bush has called a serious economic crisis. He says failure to act quickly could cause the failure of more banks, a drop in the stock market and losses in pension funds.

1 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

2 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

3 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

4 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。

5 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

6 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

7 avert   

v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等)

参考例句：

• He managed to avert suspicion.他设法避嫌。
• I would do what I could to avert it.我会尽力去避免发生这种情况。

8 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

9 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。