As Congress returns from its recess it has a plate full of Syria, possibility of a government shutdown Sept. 30, expiring Farm Bills to consider, and the divisive Keystone pipeline. Unless Congress can agree to pass a continuing funding resolution (CR) by month’s end, federal programs and services will cease. Additionally, the government’s debt limit will be reached sometime in mid Oct., which means it cannot spend more money until it is authorized by Congress. The Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) reports many analysts expect conservative lawmakers to tie eliminating the Affordable Care Act to averting a government shutdown, and more likely to raising the debt ceiling. If the battle becomes protracted, it could put GSE reform on the back burner, and with it, provisions that provide the manufactured housing industry with some relief from the Dodd-Frank Act, as proposed in the PATH Act (HR 2767). House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) hopes to bring the PATH Act forward in Oct., as MHProNews has learned. Meanwhile, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) say they plan to complete their version of GSE reform legislation by year’s end. For more information from MHI, please click here.
