SENATE APPROVES PLAN TO HELP STABILIZE NATION’S FINANCIAL MARKETS

October 19, 2008

The Senate approved a revised version of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 in a 74 to 25 vote, clearing the way for full consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. The House voted down an earlier version of the plan on Monday.

The revised plan, which is designed to shore up the nation’s financial markets, includes a temporary one-year increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) caps for bank and credit union accounts. The cap increases are critical because they increase the funding backstop the public relies upon should their banks fail. The plan also includes extensions on several business tax breaks and adjustments to the alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individual taxpayers. These, as well as the FDIC cap changes, are amendments lawmakers believe will help bolster a smooth approval by the House.

Once approved, the financial rescue plan would allow the government to buy residential and commercial mortgage-related assets, including mortgage-backed securities and loans, in an effort to ease current credit constrictions impacting businesses across all sectors, including the housing market. Provisions to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure; increased oversight of the plan; and a limit on compensation for executives of the troubled financial firms that receive assistance; also are included in the revised plan.

C.A.R. and NAR strongly support Congress’s efforts to quickly craft and pass the proposed plan in order to calm the nation’s financial markets and free up credit to both families and businesses.

Posted in Real Estate, Things of Interest