Question re: Democrat opposition to Federal Housing Finance Reform Act

Question re: Democrat opposition to Federal Housing Finance Reform Act ?
It has now been widely reported that John McCain co-sponsored the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005, which contained language that would have done a good deal to reign in the largess of Fannie and Freddie. It has also been widely reported that the Democrats “killed it”. In reading through the record of discussion on this bill, however, I find that the Democrats whole heartedly supported it until an amendment was added that stripped away the ability of faith-based groups to receive federal funds for affordable housing programs. Mind you, much of this discussion took place in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and the subsequent re-building efforts. Excerpts: Rep. Joseph Crowley [D-NY]: Mr. Speaker, I rise to lament the wrecking of a solid, bipartisan bill that, at one time, both established a tough new regulator for our Nation's secondary mortgage market and created a new national housing trust to build affordable housing…. [Republicans] claim to represent people of faith, but they are stripping away the ability of groups like Catholic Charities, Baptists and other people of faith to use this new funding to benefit their communities and make America stronger. Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]: On behalf of Catholic Charities USA, the national association of Catholic social services agencies and institutions serving over seven million people in need every year, I urge you to support H.R. 1461, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005, and to oppose amendments that would prevent experienced faith-based and community-based organizations from successfully competing for the proposed affordable housing funds. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=109-h20051026-37&bill=h109-1461#sMonofilemx003Ammx002Fmmx002Fmmx002Fmhomemx002Fmgovtrackmx002Fmdatamx002Fmusmx002Fm109mx002Fmcrmx002Fmh20051026-37.xmlElementm50m0m0m I was under the impression that it was largely the Republicans who have favored governmental support of faith-based agencies to address issues in our communities rather than burdening agencies like FEMA to do all the work. But the amendment to this bill, which led the Democrats to vote it down, seems to say otherwise. What say you? Miss Kitty – It states that groups which received funding for housing programs would have been stripped of their ability to hold voter registration drives, even when the drives were not partisan but simply non-partisan drives to register voters. The point is, the Democrats would have approved the bill if the amendment had not been added. The Spirit of Red – I agree with you about opening the can of worms. However, it was the Republicans, including GWB, who pushed for the federal funding of faith-based groups.
Politics - 6 Answers

Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1
Hmm..this should be good...if they ever answer


2
An answer to this question would be above my pay grade.


3
I say "Ha Ha, Got em!" Republicans in charge have been B.S. since Reganomics cam into play. Its like all the other slander campaignes. Republicans vote for acts that sound good and when an election comes along it gives them an upper hand. Because they make it look like the guy who didnt vote for the bill dosn't support the common people.


4
Well, if you read the article, the problem was about voter registration not housing reform. What was appropriation of funds for voting doing in this bill? This is the kind of stuff we need to get rid of in Washington.


5
Wouldn't that have opened a whole new other can of worms, with the separation of church and state? In regard to the constitution, taxes would be imposed on these groups who are now tax exempt, for receiving federal funds. It is far better for faith based groups to do the work voluntarily as many are presently doing without the funding, and they prefer it that way. It is far better to give than to receive. I also read the article and concur with Miss Kitty. ~


6
Upfront Great Question. This shows two problems with our Congress. It shows that make attachments that they know will doom legislation that couldn't stand on it's own. It also shows how partisanship comes before the American people. The Republicans should have redrafted the bill in it's Original form to pass and then re wrote the attached legislation to a form that the democrats could have agreed with, or dumped it as bad legislation. I agree that putting religion, housing and voter registration in one package is absurd too. There has to be something in a package like that, that no one would vote for. Edit: Also, this shows that McCain was for stricter regulation or over sight on the two failed institutions as he claimed and for the democrats attempts in denial is preposterous.