Procedural votes slow down housing debate

WASHINGTON, May 7 (UPI) -- Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives accused Democrats of stifling debate on measures addressing the mortgage crisis Wednesday.

Democratic leaders blocked "open debate" and "squelched dissent," Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., said during debate over housing- and mortgage-related measures.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., Financial Services Committee chairman, noted three Republican and four Democratic amendments were being offered, and the minority party's opportunity to speak had "more scope" now than when the Republicans held the majority.

One measure would allow local governments to work with non-profit organizations to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed property to resell to low- and moderate-income families, said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla.

"This is the most comprehensive response" offered to the mortgage crisis, she said.

Hastings called the measure a bailout for lenders, saying, "Taxpayers should not take this hit."

Another measure would, among other things, revise a Federal Housing Authority program guaranteeing up to $300 billion in home loans for property owners owing more than their home's worth.

Republicans requested procedural votes and moved to adjourn several times to protest the Democratic leadership's decision to bring a war funding bill directly to the floor instead of sending it to the Appropriation Committee for consideration.