News, Photos, Story Human Rights, Culture, Poltics, Economy

Senate Democrats outline housing bill


Published: Feb. 14, 2008 at 5:22 PM
WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- An economic stimulus package dealing with the slumping U.S. housing market and the mortgage crisis was unveiled by Senate Democratic leaders Thursday.

Among other things, the package would increased pre-foreclosure counseling funds, revising laws to allow states to issue bonds for home refinancing and change portions of the Bankruptcy Code to allow judges to restructure mortgages, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. said during a news conference.

Consideration of overhauling the Federal Housing Administration that the Bush administration sought would be taken up separately, Reid said.

"The pieces of legislation that we have put together into one bill, each one will be something to stimulate the economy," Reid said.

If the legislation is signed into law, "a million homes will no longer be foreclosed upon," Reid said.

He said he hoped to bring it to the Senate floor the week after Congress returns from its Presidents Day recess.

"The bottom line is that we are not going to get out of these economic problems, this recession, until we deal with the housing crisis," Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said.


© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News: Romney throws support to McCain

MEDVEDEV MILITARY
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (R) visits a military academy in Kostroma, some 300 km (188 miles) northeast of Moscow, on May 15, 2008. Medvedev promised on Thursday to provide the necessary funding for Russian nuclear forces to counter global threats. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)
Russian President Medvedev visits a military academy in the city of Kostroma
Full Photo | Slideshow