Massachusetts Democrats say Wall Street rewarding Sen. Scott Brown

AFL-CIO Policy Director Damon Silvers said Brown watered down key portions of the bill that overhauled U.S. financial laws.

Associated PressU.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass.

BOSTON — Massachusetts Democrats are using the anniversary of a sweeping overhaul of the nation's financial laws to fault U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's role in the debate.

AFL-CIO Policy Director Damon Silvers said Brown watered down key portions of the bill including a provision that would have levied a $19 billion assessment on financial institutions. He said Brown instead pushed to use taxpayer dollars to cover the assessment.

Massachusetts state Democratic Party chairman John Walsh said Wall Street has responded by pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars into Brown's reelection campaign.

A Brown spokesman said he worked to improve the financial overhaul and cast a key vote in favor of the bill which he believes will protect consumers and help avoid another economic meltdown.

One of the sponsors of the bill was Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.