White House optimistic of passing financial reform

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Thursday it was optimistic Congress would pass financial regulatory reform this year despite the collapse of Senate talks aimed at producing bipartisan legislation on the issue.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said he didn't believe lawmakers would want to face voters in November without having taken action address the kinds of abuses that led to the 2008 financial crisis.

"We're still very optimistic that this can get done. I think that this will get done this year," he said. "If you're not supportive of those new rules, you're going to get a chance to explain that opposition to the American people."