Rep. Frank says House, Senate Dems agree on bailout

Committee Chairman Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) presides over a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 10, 2008.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said House and Senate Democrats have agreed on a financial bailout plan and were talking to Republican lawmakers.

"We've made a lot of progress. I think the House and Senate Democrats have come to an agreement. Now we're going to talk to the Republicans," Frank said on Thursday after leaving a meeting of Democrats.

The Massachusetts Democrat also criticized Republican presidential nominee John McCain's moves on the bailout as "a stunt." The Arizona senator broke off campaigning on Wednesday to return to Washington and work on the bailout.

"He hasn't been involved. He doesn't know anything about it," said Frank. "This is a stunt. I hope people will be able to ignore it."

(Reporting by Kevin Drawbaugh; Writing by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)