Washington, DC – Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) issued the following statement today on the decision by AIG, the insurance giant that received over $170 billion in federal assistance to date, to pay $165 million in retention bonuses to its employees.

“I don’t know what’s more appalling: AIG’s decision or the choice by some in Congress to sneak a provision into the stimulus bill that protects these kinds of bonuses.

“Regardless, it’s unconscionable that the very same people who pushed the financial system to the brink of collapse are now receiving seven-figure bonuses.  Their greed and irresponsibility should be punished, not rewarded. 

“We need to send a clear signal to others that this kind of ludicrous use of taxpayer dollars is flat out unacceptable.”