Senator Tim Johnson says congressional oversight over the Troubled Asset Relief Program is "absolutely always" needed but that the Treasury Department still needs some flexibility.  The third-term South Dakota Democrat says it would be premature to tie the department's hands.

Senator John Thune, 38 other Republican senators and one Democrat have proposed ending the $700 financial rescue program. The Treasury secretary can extend it just by telling Congress.

Thune says he doesn't want it to become a "slush fund." He says unobligated balances could be put toward debt retirement and that he worries the Treasury Department might not use the funds wisely.

Johnson says TARP saved the nation from a depression and that it's too soon to end it.