Senate Passes Mortgage Aid Bill

The U.S. Senate has approved a housing rescue bill by a 72-13 vote to help beleaguered homeowners stave off the threat of foreclosure.

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The bill effectively gives the U.S. Treasury Department the power to lend money to government sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from going into default. It would also create a new regulatory body to tighten controls on Fannie and Freddie. It would also provide $3.9 billion in grants for buying and renovating foreclosed property in the hardest-hit communities.

In order to pass the bill, lawmakers had to officially raise the U.S. debt ceiling, increasing it to $10.6 trillion.

The bill will now make its way to President Bush and is expected to be signed midweek, despite his opposition to nearly $4 billion in aid to local communities.

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FDIC Challenges Treasury with New Loan Modification Proposal

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Mortgage Rates Drop for Second Straight Week

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