Dodd Confident on FHA Reform

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., says he is "very confident" that committee members will be able reach a consensus and pass a Federal Housing Administration reform bill after Congress returns from its August recess.Sen. Dodd wanted to mark up an FHA bill this week. But he indicated that there was not enough time to complete the negotiations with senators about to leave town for the month-long recess. "There are a number of issues outstanding," he admitted. The committee chairman stressed that FHA reform, flood insurance reform, and an extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act will be his main priorities when Congress reconvenes in September. "I hope to get to flood insurance and TRIA very quickly," Sen. Dodd told reporters. Then he wants to turn to the government-sponsored enterprise reform bill to strengthen regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.