Taxpayer bailout tab could run into trillions

That $700 billion financial bailout passed by Congress and signed by President Bush is a big package. But wait, there's more. The total amount of federal money spent or being put on the line to rebuild the nation's financial system is considerably more once various other steps potentially involving taxpayer money are taken into account, easily running into the trillions. Here are some of the major steps — and associated price tags — of actions the government has taken this year to deal with the spreading crisis in credit and housing markets: _March 11: The Federal Reserve announces a rescue package to provide up to $200 billion in loans to banks and investment houses and let them put up risky mortgage-backed securities as collateral. _March 16: The Fed provides a $29 billion loan to JPMorgan Chase & Co. as part of its... [read full story]