US lawmakers in the House of Representatives have voted in favour of a bill to levy a 90% tax on big bonuses from firms bailed out by taxpayers.
The move follows outrage over the decision by AIG to award its employees $165m (£113m) in bonuses after taking $170bn in aid from the government.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "We want our money back and we want our money back now for the taxpayers."
President Barack Obama welcomed the result of the vote.
"Now this legislation moves to the Senate, and I look forward to receiving a final product that will serve as a strong signal to the executives who run these firms that such compensation will not be tolerated," Mr Obama said.
Members of the house voted 328-93 in favour of the legislation.