"In April 2001, before the events of 9/11 and just after entering the White House, President Bush began signaling warnings to members of congress that both Fannie and Freddie were headed into deep treacherous waters which could cause âstrong repercussions in financial markets.â
In early 2003, the Bush White House upgraded its warnings to âa systemic risk that could extend well beyond just the housing markets.â
On September 10, 2003, Bush Treasury Secretary John Snow testified in congress that something had to be done to confront the growing storm at Fannie and Freddie. Democrat Barney Frank, now Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, reacted by saying âFannie Mae and Freddie Mac are NOT in a crisis...â completely rejecting Bush administration calls for reform.
Frank went on to say that Fannie and Freddie should do even more to get low-income families into homes. âThe more people, in my opinion, exaggerate the threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the possibility of more serious financial losses to the treasury, which I do not see, I think we see entities that are fundamentally sound financially, and withstand some of the disaster scenarios, and even if there were a problem, the federal government doesnât bail them out, but the more pressure there is there, then the less, I think we see, in affordable housing.â Said Democrat Frank
Congressional Democrats then killed the 2003 bill put forth by Republicans, intended to head off financial crisis."
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7992
In early 2003, the Bush White House upgraded its warnings to âa systemic risk that could extend well beyond just the housing markets.â
On September 10, 2003, Bush Treasury Secretary John Snow testified in congress that something had to be done to confront the growing storm at Fannie and Freddie. Democrat Barney Frank, now Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, reacted by saying âFannie Mae and Freddie Mac are NOT in a crisis...â completely rejecting Bush administration calls for reform.
Frank went on to say that Fannie and Freddie should do even more to get low-income families into homes. âThe more people, in my opinion, exaggerate the threat of safety and soundness, the more people conjure up the possibility of more serious financial losses to the treasury, which I do not see, I think we see entities that are fundamentally sound financially, and withstand some of the disaster scenarios, and even if there were a problem, the federal government doesnât bail them out, but the more pressure there is there, then the less, I think we see, in affordable housing.â Said Democrat Frank
Congressional Democrats then killed the 2003 bill put forth by Republicans, intended to head off financial crisis."
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7992
