Title 12 › Chapter CHAPTER 52— - EMERGENCY ECONOMIC STABILIZATION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - TROUBLED ASSETS RELIEF PROGRAM › § 5225
Limits how much the Treasury Secretary can spend to buy troubled assets. Starting October 3, 2008, the cap is $250,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time. If the President tells Congress in writing that more is needed, the cap becomes $350,000,000,000 when he sends that notice. If the President later sends a written plan to Congress and Congress does not pass a disapproval within 15 calendar days, the cap rises to $475,000,000,000 after that 15-day period. The total counts the purchase prices of the assets held. Money the Secretary gets back from repayments, guarantees that are canceled, or losses do not lower the amount counted. No money from this authority may start a program that began after June 25, 2010. If the President sends the plan, Congress can block the higher amount by quickly passing a special joint resolution. That resolution must be introduced within 3 calendar days and follows a fast-track process in both the House and Senate so it is considered and voted on within about 6 days. The House and Senate must reconvene quickly, committees have short deadlines, the Senate’s debate is limited (about 10 hours) and rules speed up the vote. Time while the President has the resolution or a veto is pending does not count toward the 15-day period.
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Banks and Banking — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
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12 U.S.C. § 5225
Title 12 — Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73