Senate Democrats want to know if the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s focus on reprivatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Max will make mortgages more expensive.
In a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, along with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and nine other Senate Democrats questioned President Donald Trump’s push to reprivatize the companies.
“During your confirmation process, you repeatedly spoke of the desire to reduce housing costs, a goal we share. However, right out of the gate, you are actively advocating for policy changes that would likely raise housing costs for hardworking Americans,” the Senators wrote. “Reprivatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac threatens to raise the cost of mortgages and rent and make it even harder to access credit for purchasing a home. At a time when so many Americans are struggling with housing costs, we must ask why you are choosing as one of your first priorities a policy that only makes it harder for Americans to afford housing.”
The Senators said the move could result in a taxpayer-funded giveaway worth billions for wealthy investors and hedge funds.
“Our housing finance system is a complex, multi-trillion dollar market that touches the lives of every American family. It is critical that any effort to reprivatize Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac does not result in windfalls for wealthy investors while raising housing costs for American families. We look forward to your prompt and thorough reply on this urgent matter,” the Senators wrote.
U.S. Sens. Richard Blumental (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also signed the letter.