U.S. congressional investigators on Wednesday listed government-sponsored housing enterprises as among areas that could be “ripe for reexamination” as lawmakers review spending and tax programs.
The Government Accountability Office, an arm of the U.S. Congress, said lawmakers seeking to review the base of federal government spending as they tackle the deficit could examine the role and regulation of the GSEs, including whether Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be privatized.
The GAO said Congress may consider questioning whether the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight — regulator for mortgage funders Fannie and Freddie — has the necessary authority to address the companies’ risks.
Federal lawmakers also may consider whether Fannie and Freddie still serve an important public policy purpose, the GAO said.
For this complete story, please visit U.S. GAO Lists GSE Questions for Congress to Ponder.
