News List

  • The Bigger Picture: Housing Subsidies and National Economies
    Jun 13, 2013 - A survey of housing finance in other countries sheds light on the distortion that government subsidies for housing can cause in national economies. Professors at New York University’s Stern School of Business have pointed out that one thing that Spain and the United States have in common is a “massi... More
  • Chairman Hensarling: Time to EXIT the EXIM
    Jun 13, 2013 - Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) delivered the following opening statement at today's Monetary Policy & Trade Subcommittee hearing assessing reforms at the Export-Import Bank: While I don’t often find myself in agreement with statements coming out of the Obama Administrati... More
  • Media Buzz: That Time American Exceptionalism Isn’t So Exceptional
    Jun 13, 2013 - Contrary to the Fannie & Freddie defenders’ assertions that America’s unique GSE-model of housing finance is the “envy of the world,” yesterday’s full committee hearing found that the U.S. ranks only 17th in the world in terms of the rate of homeownership. Our 65% homeownership rate puts us behind ... More
  • Chairman Hensarling on Successful Housing Finance Systems without Government Guarentees
    Jun 12, 2013 - “As lawmakers, it is time to open up our eyes and open up our minds to alternative models and a pathway forward. We shouldn’t preserve Fannie and Freddie’s federal guarantee just because we have done so in the past. We shouldn’t preserve their federal guarantee just because those who believe they pr... More
  • Regulatory Barriers Continue to Hinder Capital Formation
    Jun 12, 2013 - The bipartisan Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act – passed by Congress a year ago – is working to help startup companies grow and hire, but regulatory barriers to capital remain that hinder a stronger economy, members of the Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee l... More
  • House Passes Bipartisan Bill Providing Greater Certainty for American Job Creators
    Jun 12, 2013 - The House of Representatives today passed a bipartisan Financial Services Committee bill to provide greater certainty for America’s job creators so they can invest more in our struggling economy and create desperately needed jobs. H.R. 634, the Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of... More
  • Chairman Hensarling Speaks in Support of the Bipartisan Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act
    Jun 12, 2013 - House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensalring (R-TX) delivered the following speech on the House floor today in support of H.R. 1256, the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act. The bill passed the house with strong bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Th... More
  • How the U.S. GSE Model Measures Up to the Rest of the World: We’re Number... 17?
    Jun 11, 2013 - Proponents of the GSE model of housing finance often assert that the costs of that model are justified because it provides benefits that no other countries enjoy. In fact, before the collapse of the GSEs in 2008, their supporters often argued that “American housing finance is the envy of the world.... More
  • H.R. 1256 Calls for the CFTC and SEC to Work Together
    Jun 10, 2013 - On Wednesday the House will consider H.R. 1256, the Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act. The Problem: Swaps are uniquely tailored financial products traded globally (cross-border) by a variety of industries to manage risk. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the C... More
  • Weekly Rundown
    Jun 10, 2013 - We’ll hold four hearings -- including full committee action on sustainable housing finance reform -- this week in addition to our three (and a half) bills on the House Floor. Be sure to check back here on the Bottom Line Blog -- and subscribe to our email lists -- for updates throughout the week. H... More