On Monday, Oct, 28, 2013, Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE), Carl Levin (D-MI), Pat Toomey (R-PA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced S. 1577: The Mortgage Choice Act. The legislation is identical to H.R. 3211 in the House. It would make adjustments to the Truth in Lending Act’s (TILA) definition of fees and points to ensure greater consumer choice in mortgage and settlement services under the Ability to Repay/Qualified Mortgage (QM) rule. S. 1577 endeavors to restore a competitive market among lenders by clarifying and rationalizing the definition of fees and points to reduce this discrimination. By doing so, S. 1577 will ensure that consumers have greater access to mortgage credit and also more choices in credit providers. Without S. 1577, both choice and access will be severely reduced, affecting countless consumers and those who serve them. NAR is asking both the Senate and House to ensure the legislation is enacted before the QM rule takes effect in Jan. 2014.
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