U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary

01/27/2009 Judiciary Weekly Update
	This week, Judiciary Committee Democrats intend to push a proposal that allows homeowners to alter their primary mortgages in bankruptcy court. On Tuesday, the Committee will markup the "Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act" (H.R. 200), which grants homeowners the ability petition bankruptcy judges to reduce the amount of money they owe on their primary residences.

1/21/2009 Judiciary Weekly Update
	On Thursday, the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on proposed legislation that allows homeowners to alter their primary mortgages in bankruptcy court. In the short-term, homeowners could petition judges to reduce the amount of money they owe on their homes. However, this loss to the banks creates long-term risk for future lending that inevitably will be passed on to future homeowners in the form of higher mortgage rates, making it harder for other families to afford homeownership.

01/13/2009 Judiciary Weekly Update
	The Senate is scheduled to hold a confirmation hearing this week on the nomination of Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security. Among the issues expected to be raised are Napolitano’s views on border security, detention policies and interior immigration enforcement.