WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to give the Treasury Department the power to ban future "unreasonable and excessive" compensation at companies receiving federal bailout money.



The bill would give Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner greater say on executive compensation.



The Pay for Performance Act of 2009, which passed by a vote of 247-171, would empower Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to define what constitutes reasonable compensation, as well as to ban bonuses not based on performance standards. Geithner's guidelines would apply to companies receiving assistance from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.



Democrats provided heavy support for the bill, with only eight from that party voting against the measure. Republicans, who are in the minority in the House, were mostly opposed, with only 10 crossing party lines to support it.



Two weeks ago, the House passed legislation taxing individuals on any bonuses received in 2009 from companies getting $5 billion or more in money from the TARP. Bonuses for people with incomes over $250,000 would be taxed at a 90 percent rate, but the measure has failed to clear the Senate.  Watch Rep. Barney Frank spar with CNN's Lou Dobbs over bonus bill »



Public outrage followed the recent revelation that insurer AIG paid $165 million in bonuses even as it received at least $170 billion of taxpayer money in federal bailouts, plus an $85 billion loan from the Federal Reserve.
What does Bill allow? Who does it apply to? Who or what does this bill affect? What did House pass? What does this bill do? What Act did the House pass?
greater say on executive compensation. TARP. companies receiving federal bailout money. The Pay for Performance Act of 2009, would give Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner greater say on executive compensation. Pay for Performance
question: What does Bill allow?, answer: greater say on executive compensation. | question: Who does it apply to?, answer: TARP. | question: Who or what does this bill affect?, answer: companies receiving federal bailout money. | question: What did House pass?, answer: The Pay for Performance Act of 2009, | question: What does this bill do?, answer: would give Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner greater say on executive compensation. | question: What Act did the House pass?, answer: Pay for Performance