[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                      COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING REFORM

  (Mr. HODES asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HODES. Madam Speaker, there's no doubt that the housing crisis 
and the consumer credit crunch are getting worse. Last week, we learned 
that the number of homes facing foreclosure more than doubled from last 
year. In my home State of New Hampshire, foreclosures have increased 
nearly 96 percent.
  That is why it is so important that Congress pass the comprehensive 
housing package that is coming to the floor this week. The legislation 
is the most innovative and comprehensive solution to the housing crisis 
yet. It will give relief to the millions of working families struggling 
to pay their mortgage with the rising price of gas and food. It would 
help nearly 1.5 million Americans in need. Our package would also offer 
assistance to State and localities to purchase and rehabilitate 
foreclosed properties.
  Madam Speaker, our economy cannot rebound unless we act now to give 
relief to millions of Americans in need. We have a bold proposal to 
take this decisive action. I certainly hope that my colleagues on the 
other side of the aisle understand the urgent need and that we will 
receive bipartisan support for this proposal.

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