The "bonuses" were "retention" bonuses. The employees who received them were on notice that they would be terminated. The company needed their expertise and agreed to pay them a "retention" bonus so they would stay with the company do perform their valuable services instead of seeking other employment immediately. Now the politicians want to grandstand to steal the money that was agreed compensation for these employees to remain on the job instead of leaving immediately. The employees should sue the hell out of the company and politicians if they are deprived of the compensation that was contractually agreed.
As it was explained to me, the bonuses were in the works for about a year. The government knew about them, AIG let the government know that if the bonuses were not paid, there would be penalties and fines that would be more than the original amount, due to some being overseas employees or something to that effect. The government, after reviewing the facts of the matter, gave the okay for the bonus payout.