[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 202 (Thursday, December 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS

  The following petitions and memorials were laid before the Senate and 
were referred or ordered to lie on the table as indicated:

       POM-86. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urging the Federal Housing 
     Finance Agency to rescind all fee increases that negatively 
     impact Pennsylvania homebuyers; to the Committee on Banking, 
     Housing, and Urban Affairs.

                       Senate Resolution No. 134

       Whereas, The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 
     implemented a change to Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's 
     single-family pricing framework by introducing redesigned fee 
     matrices for home purchases, rate-term refinance and cash-out 
     refinance loans; and
       Whereas, Under the newly effective change, fees assessed on 
     borrowers with lower credit scores were reduced while fees 
     were increased for borrowers with higher credit scores and 
     moderate down payments; and
       Whereas, The majority of mortgages that exist today are 
     known as ``conforming mortgages'' because they adhere to the 
     underwriting guidelines of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and are 
     subject to loan-level price adjustments established by the 
     FHFA; and
       Whereas, Housing affordability has reached its lowest level 
     in over a decade due to the significant surge in mortgage 
     rates and record home price appreciation; and
       Whereas, Imposing higher fees on borrowers further 
     exacerbates the challenge of affording a home within an 
     already constrained housing market; and
       Whereas, The increased fees on borrowers with higher credit 
     scores is contrary to the congressionally chartered duty of 
     the government-sponsored enterprises, which is to promote 
     access to mortgage credit throughout the nation, and is 
     unnecessary for the safety and soundness of the enterprises; 
     therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of 
     Pennsylvania urge the Federal Housing Finance Agency to 
     rescind all fee increases that negatively impact Pennsylvania 
     homebuyers; and be it further
       Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to 
     the President of the United States, the presiding officers of 
     each house of Congress, each member of Congress from 
     Pennsylvania and the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
                                  ____

       POM-87. A resolution adopted by the Senate of the 
     Commonwealth of Massachusetts calling on the United States 
     Government to continue to stand with the people of Israel in 
     their time of need, support the victims of the recent 
     terrorist attack against the state of Israel and work towards 
     the safe return of those who are being held hostage; to the 
     Committee on Foreign Relations.
                                  ____


                       Senate Resolution No. 2462

        Whereas, on October 7, 2023, the Terrorist Organization 
     known as Hamas launched a brutal barbaric assault and attack 
     on the State of Israel and brought immense suffering to the 
     innocent civilians of Israel and the region; and
       Whereas, the Israeli people have an inadienable right to 
     defend themselves against acts of terrorism; and
       Whereas, The Commonwealth mourns the thousands of innocent 
     victims of Hamas's terrorist attack against Israel, including 
     women, children and babies, and is gravely concerned for the 
     many innocent civilians who have been kidnapped and are being 
     held hostage; and
       Whereas, The Commonwealth has continuously demonstrated an 
     unwavering commitment to supporting innocent victims of 
     violence and calls for a safe return of the Israelis, 
     Americans and other nationals who have recently been 
     kidnapped and are being held hostage; and
       Whereas, The Commonwealth must strongly condemn these 
     heinous terrorist actions by Hamas in Israel; and
       Whereas, The Commonwealth stands in solidarity with the 
     Jewish community in Israel, the Commonwealth and around the 
     world; and
       Whereas, the recent, sharp rise in antisemitism, expressed 
     openly and violently, reinforces the need for our collective, 
     continued efforts to stand against hatred and bigotry in the 
     Commonwealth and abroad; now therefore be it
       Resolved, That the Massachusetts Senate hereby calls on the 
     United States Government to continue to stand with the people 
     of Israel in their time of need, support the victims of the 
     recent terrorist attack against the State of Israel and work 
     towards the safe return of those who are being held hostage; 
     and be it further
       Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted 
     forthwith by the clerk of the Senate to the Congress of the 
     United States and the President of the United States, Joseph 
     R. Biden, Jr.

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