Member Corner

Matthew Cooper | November 7, 2013 It’s been five years since Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac went under during the financial crisis. Since then, the mortgage giants have been in conservatorship. Congress is still pondering what to do. Everyone’s pretty much agreed that the two should go. (For the record, neither lends money to homeowners… Read more »

The House is in session Tuesday through Friday this week. Be sure to check back here on the Bottom Line Blog -- and sign up for our email updates -- for committee specific information throughout the week.  Here's what's happening:  On Wednesday the committee will hold our two subcommittee hearings of the week. At 10 a.m. the Housing and Insurance… Read more »

Wall Street Journal | Affordable Housing Is What You Can Afford American Action Forum President Douglas Holtz-Eakin on a Senate housing “reform” bill that includes provisions for politically motivated lending.  Baltimore Sun | Consumer protection bureau fails to protect A report by a Bipartisan Policy Center task force comes after almost a year's worth… Read more »

  Congressman Mick Mulvaney (Twitter | Facebook) delivers this week's Sunday Video Message on the $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded bailout of the Federal Housing Administration.  Read more »

The Protecting American Taxpayers and Homeowners Act – the PATH Act – expressly preserves the 30-year fixed rate mortgage. In fact, it's the only housing reform bill that specifically does so. But those who defend the status quo are trying to trick you into believing otherwise. Don't believe those scare tactics. Just read it for yourself. On page 39 of the bill, it's spelled out… Read more »

Today, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) first-ever taxpayer-funded bailout — approximately $1.7 billion. Despite long-standing concerns about its solvency, the FHA has not taken the necessary steps to mitigate its losses. FHA currently has several means at its disposal to minimize losses to its insurance fund, yet… Read more »

The House is in session Monday through Wednesday this week and will consider two Financial Services bills. Additionally, the committee will hold two hearings. Be sure to check back here on the Bottom Line Blog -- and sign up for our email updates -- for more information throughout the week.  Here's what's happening:  On Tuesday at 10 a.m. the Full Committee… Read more »

Chairman Hensarling appeared on Fox Business Network earlier today to discuss tomorrow's Full Committee hearing on the $1.7 billion taxpayer-funded bailout the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) received at the end of September.    Hensarling on FHA's current condition:  "Well as you probably know, FHA is about to receive their first bailout… Read more »

  Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Twitter | Facebook) delivers this week's Sunday Video Message on her legislation -- H.R. 2374, the Retail Investor Protection Act. H.R. 2374 will be considered on the House floor this week. Read more »

Update 11/18/13: The full committee will consider six bills to reform the CFPB on Wednesday.  Next week the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee will hold a hearing to discuss legislative proposals to bring more accountability, reform and transparency to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). As Chairman Hensarling has pointed out, the… Read more »