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Senate GOP Stymies Dem Housing Relief

Republicans say plan to aid homeowners would inflame crisis, hurt lenders

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 29, 2008 8:51 AM CST

(Newser) – Capping a week of gridlock, GOP senators yesterday blocked consideration of a Democratic-backed housing-relief bill. The mortgage industry had fought hard against the proposal, which would allow judges to slash interest rates for low-income homeowners facing bankruptcy, the Washington Post reports. The bill also included billions of dollars for local communities to buy up subprime mortgages.

GOP critics charged the bill would decimate the housing market, and President Bush called on Congress to give this month's $168B stimulus package a "chance to kick in" before considering other measures. Sen. Richard Durbin, retorting that Bush's remarks come "straight out of the Herbert Hoover playbook," called the issue a choice between mortgage bankers and families facing foreclosure.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., left, accompanied by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., center, and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., gestures during a news conference on the housing crisis, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., left, accompanied by Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., center, and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., gestures during a news conference on the housing crisis, Thursday, Feb....   (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., second from left, meets reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement on an economic stimulus package. From left are, Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., Reid, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash....
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., second from left, meets reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement on an economic...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez speaks to members of the Tiger Bay Club, a bipartisan group of business people and politicians in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Martinez says the Democrats' relief plan would wreak havoc on the housing market. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez speaks to members of the Tiger Bay Club, a bipartisan group of business people and politicians in Orlando, Fla., Monday, Nov. 12, 2007. Martinez says the Democrats' relief plan...   (Associated Press)
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