Lawmakers Go Bipartisan on Housing

Lawmakers are suddenly coming together on housing, with Republicans supporting a bill they left for dead two weeks ago, and Democrats cooling the political rhetoric for a change. The difference: those two weeks were spent back home with constituents, Politico notes. “Unless every member of the Senate was in a cave over recess, it’s clear that gas prices and housing were the most important issues,” said GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson.

“Everybody, this is not an April Fool’s joke,” said Harry Reid, as he and minority leader Mitch McConnell announced their breakthrough. The compromise bill will likely look much like the old one, minus the Democrats’ ambitious provision allowing judges to restructure mortgages. Republicans, meanwhile are agreeing to include $200 million for housing counselors. (More housing legislation stories.)