Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
score
0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
63pct
14d open
vs 6,662 other HR bills in the 112th — cohort avg 39d
No CRS summary is available for this bill yet. The source title, actions, sponsors, and text versions below come from Congress.gov.
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Filing registrants (18)
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2013 · second_quarter · Banking
S.1217, The Housing Finance Reform and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2013. All Provisions. A bill to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac over a five-year period. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. (See next page for more detailed description.)S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act.H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $970,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2013 · first_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act;H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000
2013 · first_quarter · Banking
H.R.1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act.S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners.H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
2012 · first_quarter · Banking
Legislation: Regulatory environment affecting banks, including community banks; Debit Card Interchange Fee legislation (S.575, H.R.1081, H.R.3156); GSE legislation (H.R.1182, H.R.31, H.R.1221, H.R.1222,H.R.1223, H.R.1224, H.R.1225, H.R.1226, H.R.1227, H.R.2436, H.R.2441, H.R.2440, H.R.2462, H.R.463, H.R.2439); Mortgage Foreclosure Relief legislation (H.R.830, H.R.836, H.R.839, H.R.861) ; (Continued on next page)Legislation (cont'd.): Credit Union business lending (S.509, H.R.1418, S.2231); Internet Gambling Regulation (H.R.1174); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Governance (H.R.1121, H.R.1315). Small Business Lending (S.493), Bankruptcy Legislation (S.222), National Flood Insurance Reform (H.R.1309), Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439), Executive Compensation (H.R. 1062), Covered Bonds (H.R.940), Patent Reform (H.R.1249), CFPB Appropriations Legislation. Information Security/Privacy (H.R.2577, H.R.3035, S.1151, S.1408, S.1434, S.1535), Deficit Reduction, American Jobs Act, Appropriation Legislation, Patent Office Reform (H.R.1249). Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Fees (H.R. 3765); Flood Insurance Reform & Extension (H.R.2608, HJ Res. 94, HJ Res. 95, H.R.2055, H.R.3671, S.1958); Bank & Corporate Governance (H.R. 1965, S.556, S.1941,H.R.2940, H.R.2930); SEC Registration Threshold (H.R.2167, HR.1070); Sarbanes-Oxley Auditor Requirements (H.R.3213); Restoration of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Higher Loan Limits (Amendment to Ag Appropriations bill); Bank Examination Fairness (H.R.3461,S.2160); Bank Failure Study Legislation (H.R.2056); Federal Tax on Larger Financial Institutions; Credit Union Capital (H.R.3993); Amendment on non-resident alien interest reporting; The JOBS Act - H.R.3606; Municipal Advisor Exemption - H.R.2827; CFPB Confidential Information Protection - H.R.4014. Regulation: Fed. Reg. B (Equal Credit Opportunity) Rules, Fed and FDIC Orderly Resolution Regulations for Systemically Significant Companies, Fin CEN Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements, General Obligation Bonds, Thrift institution regulation and reporting transfer to OCC and Fed, FASB Auditor Independence Rules, OCC Guidance on Deposit-Related Consumer Credit Products, Fed, FDIC and OCC Retail Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulation Q, Fed and FTC Credit Score Disclosure Rules, OCC Foreclosure Guidance. FDIC Assessment, Base & Rate Regulation; Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators; Federal Reserve Regulation II - debit card interchange fee regulation; SEC registration of municipal advisor regulation; FDIC Interest on Lawyer Account deposit insurance coverage regulation; FASB Mark to Market Accounting; shareholder executive compensation rules; FASB lease accounting rules; FASB impairment of financial asset rules; mortgage disclosure regulation; regulatory burden relief; federal garnishment rules; Federal Home Loan Bank system membership; Credit Card Act implementation; Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) amendments; Payment Settlement Entity Reporting; Interest on Non-Resident Alien Account Reporting; Credit Risk Retention Regulation. FDIC and OCC Overdraft and Bank Product Guidance, Repeal of Reg. Q, FHFA Rules on purchase of housing cooperative loans, IRS Guidance on Trust Commissions, Fed Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation, Fed Remittance Transfer Proposal, National bank preemption, Risk-based capital requirements, CFPB Regulations. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting of Assignments in lieu of Mortgage Discharge (Reg C); Restrictions on Bank Proprietary Trading (Volcker Rule); Acquisitions of non-systemically significant financial institutions; Flood Insurance Guidance; Treasury Home Affordable Refinance Program; Examiner Treatment of New York State and Local Government Securities; CFPB Credit Card Disclosures; CFPB Deposit Account Disclosures; CFPB Mortgage Disclosures; Enhanced Regulation of large bank holding companies and non-bank firms. Patent and Trademark Reform Regulatory Implementation; Regulations Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act; Stress Test Regulations; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); Servicing and Foreclosure Guidance and Regulations; Home Loan Bank Member Supervision; CFPB Streamlined Regulations Project; CFPB Regulations on Privileged Information.
2012 · first_quarter · Banking
Legislation: Regulatory environment affecting banks, including community banks; Debit Card Interchange Fee legislation (S.575, H.R.1081, H.R.3156); GSE legislation (H.R.1182, H.R.31, H.R.1221, H.R.1222,H.R.1223, H.R.1224, H.R.1225, H.R.1226, H.R.1227, H.R.2436, H.R.2441, H.R.2440, H.R.2462, H.R.463, H.R.2439); Mortgage Foreclosure Relief legislation (H.R.830, H.R.836, H.R.839, H.R.861) ; (Continued on next page)Legislation (cont'd.): Credit Union business lending (S.509, H.R.1418, S.2231); Internet Gambling Regulation (H.R.1174); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Governance (H.R.1121, H.R.1315). Small Business Lending (S.493), Bankruptcy Legislation (S.222), National Flood Insurance Reform (H.R.1309), Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439), Executive Compensation (H.R. 1062), Covered Bonds (H.R.940), Patent Reform (H.R.1249), CFPB Appropriations Legislation. Information Security/Privacy (H.R.2577, H.R.3035, S.1151, S.1408, S.1434, S.1535), Deficit Reduction, American Jobs Act, Appropriation Legislation, Patent Office Reform (H.R.1249). Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Fees (H.R. 3765); Flood Insurance Reform & Extension (H.R.2608, HJ Res. 94, HJ Res. 95, H.R.2055, H.R.3671, S.1958); Bank & Corporate Governance (H.R. 1965, S.556, S.1941,H.R.2940, H.R.2930); SEC Registration Threshold (H.R.2167, HR.1070); Sarbanes-Oxley Auditor Requirements (H.R.3213); Restoration of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Higher Loan Limits (Amendment to Ag Appropriations bill); Bank Examination Fairness (H.R.3461,S.2160); Bank Failure Study Legislation (H.R.2056); Federal Tax on Larger Financial Institutions; Credit Union Capital (H.R.3993); Amendment on non-resident alien interest reporting; The JOBS Act - H.R.3606; Municipal Advisor Exemption - H.R.2827; CFPB Confidential Information Protection - H.R.4014. Regulation: Fed. Reg. B (Equal Credit Opportunity) Rules, Fed and FDIC Orderly Resolution Regulations for Systemically Significant Companies, Fin CEN Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements, General Obligation Bonds, Thrift institution regulation and reporting transfer to OCC and Fed, FASB Auditor Independence Rules, OCC Guidance on Deposit-Related Consumer Credit Products, Fed, FDIC and OCC Retail Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulation Q, Fed and FTC Credit Score Disclosure Rules, OCC Foreclosure Guidance. FDIC Assessment, Base & Rate Regulation; Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators; Federal Reserve Regulation II - debit card interchange fee regulation; SEC registration of municipal advisor regulation; FDIC Interest on Lawyer Account deposit insurance coverage regulation; FASB Mark to Market Accounting; shareholder executive compensation rules; FASB lease accounting rules; FASB impairment of financial asset rules; mortgage disclosure regulation; regulatory burden relief; federal garnishment rules; Federal Home Loan Bank system membership; Credit Card Act implementation; Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) amendments; Payment Settlement Entity Reporting; Interest on Non-Resident Alien Account Reporting; Credit Risk Retention Regulation. FDIC and OCC Overdraft and Bank Product Guidance, Repeal of Reg. Q, FHFA Rules on purchase of housing cooperative loans, IRS Guidance on Trust Commissions, Fed Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation, Fed Remittance Transfer Proposal, National bank preemption, Risk-based capital requirements, CFPB Regulations. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting of Assignments in lieu of Mortgage Discharge (Reg C); Restrictions on Bank Proprietary Trading (Volcker Rule); Acquisitions of non-systemically significant financial institutions; Flood Insurance Guidance; Treasury Home Affordable Refinance Program; Examiner Treatment of New York State and Local Government Securities; CFPB Credit Card Disclosures; CFPB Deposit Account Disclosures; CFPB Mortgage Disclosures; Enhanced Regulation of large bank holding companies and non-bank firms. Patent and Trademark Reform Regulatory Implementation; Regulations Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act; Stress Test Regulations; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); Servicing and Foreclosure Guidance and Regulations; Home Loan Bank Member Supervision; CFPB Streamlined Regulations Project; CFPB Regulations on Privileged Information.
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
Client expense: $730,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2012 · fourth_quarter · Banking
H.R.1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners. H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $665,400 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 363 (Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act of 2011); H.R. 344 (Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement Act of 2011); H.R. 463 (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011); H.R. 653 (Financial Information Privacy Act of 2011); H.R. 757 (Equitable Treatment of Investors Act); H.R. 836 (Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act); H.R. 1053 (stock quote decimalization); H.R. 1062 (Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act); H.R. 1070 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1082 (Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act); H.R. 1112 (National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2011); H.R. 1151 (Emergency Mortgage Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Cost Recoupment Act of 2011); H.R. 1341 (A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate); H.R. 1438 (Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011); H.R. 1532 (A bill to amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require the joint select committee of Congress to report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation's workforce to full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013); H.R. 1535 (Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 1539 (Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1550 (National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011); H.R. 1573 (To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption); H.R. 1610 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1838 (To repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act prohibiting any Federal bailout of swap dealers or participants); H.R. 1840 (To improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders); H.R. 1965 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.); H.R. 2167 (Private Company Flexibility Act); H.R. 2308 (SEC Regulatory Accountability Act); H.R. 2313 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); H.R. 2413 (Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgages Act of 2011); H.R. 2483 (Whistleblower Improvement Act); H.R. 2517 (Shareholder Protection Act of 2011); H.R. 2586 (Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act); H.R. 2603 (Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act); H.R. 2612 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to prohibit certain acts or practices); H.R. 2651 (To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes); H.R. 2682 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act); H.R. 2779 (To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act); H.R. 2827 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes); H.R. 2855 (Emergency Jobs Now Act); H.R. 2930 (Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act); H.R. 2931 (Full Faith and Credit Act); H.R. 2940 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); H.R. 2964 (Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act); H.R. 3010 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 3078 (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3079 (United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3080 (United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3084 (Mortgage Credit Availability Act of 2011); H.R. 3128 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of exempting smaller institutions from capital deductions); H.R. 3213 (Small Company Job Growth and Regulatory Relief Act of 2011); H.R. 3283 (Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act); H.R. 3313 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); H.R. 3318 (Growing Jobs Through Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3336 (Small Business Credit Availability Act); H.R. 3527 (Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation); H.R. 3530 (Freddie Mac Debt Reduction Act of 2011); H.R. 3606 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); H.R. 3635 (Investing in America's Small Businesses Act of 2011); H.R. 3644 (Private Mortgage Market Investment Act); H.R. 3655 (Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3665 (Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act); H.R. 3733 (Affordable Mortgage for Homeowners Act of 2011); H.R. 3871 (Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012); H.R. 4088 (Capital Expansion Act); H.R. 4235 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to repeal the indemnification requirements for regulatory authorities to obtain access to swap data required to be provided by swaps entities under such Acts.); H.R. 4624 (Investment Advisor Oversight Act of 2012); H.R. 5973 (Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) appropriations bill); H. Amdt. 465 (Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the CFTC to promulgate any final rules under the Commodity Exchange Act as added by the Dodd-Frank Act until 12 months after the promulgation of final swap transaction reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act.); S. 23 (Patent Reform Act of 2011); S. 556 (A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1276 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); S. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); S. 1619 (The Currency Exchange Act); S. 1641 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1642 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1643 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1650 (Dodd-Frank Improvement Act of 2011); S. 1787 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); S. 1791 (Democratizing Access to Capital Act of 2011); S. 1824 (Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act); S. 1831 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); S. 1835 (United States Covered Bond Act); S. 1907 (PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2011); S. 1933 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); S. 1941 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1962 (Startup Expansion and Investment Act); S. 1963 (Mortgage Finance Act of 2011); S. 1970 (CROWDFUND Act); S. 1975 (No More IMF Bailouts Act); S. 1997 (FHA Bailout Protection Act of 2011); S. 2033 (Closing the Derivatives Blended Rate Loophole Act); S. 2038 (STOCK Act); S. 2055 (A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.); S. 2102 (Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2012); S. 2105 (Cybersecurity Act of 2012); S. 3414 (A bill to enhance the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States.); S. 3620 (A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes.); S. Amdt. 1818 to S. 1813 (offshore tax havens); SR-NASDAQ-2012-005 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Establish an Enhanced Display Distributor Fee); SR-NASDAQ-2012-042 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Re-organize NASDAQ's Rules Governing the Fees Applicable to NASDAQ's Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NASDAQ-2012-044 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Modify the Fees Applicable to Non-Display Usage of Certain NASDAQ Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NYSEArca-2011-96 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Establish Fees for the NYSE Arca Integrated Data Feed); FINRA Rule 4560 (short interest reporting); EU data protection rules; Swap dealer and major swap participant recordkeeping and reporting, duties, and conflicts of interest policies and procedures; Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker Conflicts of Interest Policies and Procedures; Swap dealer, major swap participant, and futures commission merchant chief compliance officer; Recordkeeping under Exchange Act Rule 17a-4(b)(4); Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Implementation (Section 913; Section 914; Systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority; Section 342 (Office of Minority and Women Inclusion); Section 621; Section 941); Systemic Risk Regulation and liquidation authority; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Funding (Regulatory Capital Requirements, systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority); Resolution Authority for Systemically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009; China - strategic and economic dialogue; Market Structure Issues (dark pools, flash quotes, high frequency trading); Transatlantic Economic Council (Trade Issues); Preservation of independent contractor status for financial services sector; Asian Pacific Economic Council Privacy Issues; Bilateral Investment Treaties, India; Eminent domain; Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations; Transpacific Partnership; U.S./EU cross-border regulatory issues; India Market Access Issues, Response to Royal Bank of India discussion; European Union proposal regarding Credit Default Swaps and Credit Rating Agencies and their impact on US Markets; EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Proposal (AIFM); Basel Capital Rules; G-20; Amendments to the 2012 Indian Finance Bill; Regulatory Capital Requirements; Single Platform/Government Sponsored Enterprises; SEC Regulation AB2; Trust Indenture Act; Accounting standards for municipalities; Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) reform and funding fees; Financial Stability Board Outreach; Establishment of the Office of Financial Research; Bankruptcy reform for municipalities; Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC); Support of financial literacy; Privacy and cyber security issues; Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) rulemaking; Municipal advisor regulation; Tax-exemption for municipal bonds; Cross-border guidance; CFTC exemptive order on extraterritorial scope of Title VII; Tri-party repo; Computerized trading; Market Data Exchange Act Section 19 (and related rules); Legal entity identifier (LEI); Jumpstart our Business Startups (JOBS) Act implementation; Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) and International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) consultation paper on margin requirements for uncleared derivatives.
Client expense: $1,400,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Ginnie Mae, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Natl Security Council (NSC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · fourth_quarter · Housing
Continued and strengthened enforcement of Fair Housing Laws; equal access to adequate and affordable housing for all Americans. Support H.R. 284. End homelessness. Support full funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Oppose the elimination of housing counseling funds in H.R. 1437, funding for fiscal year 2011. End the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Ensure adequate housing for low-income veterans. Support increase in funding for the FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) and FHAP (the Fair Housing Assistance Program) programs. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Strong support for the National Housing Trust Fund and for federal funding of this program. Oppose H.R. 2441. Support the federal government placing a moratorium on home foreclosures until a thorough review can establish which ones are being made in error. Support National Homeownership Month. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs. Increase / restore money for the HUD housing counseling program. Support Senator Sherrod Brown's amendment to HR 2112 to provide $87.5 million for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Support a strong HUD regulation on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as well as a regulation from HUD on disparate impact and getting the regulations out and available for comment soon. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support a strong HUD regulation on sexual harassment. Support extending the deadline for HUD EHLP program, or at least allowing people with their applications in an extension for getting the remainder of their information & paperwork submitted. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Support the majority of the HUD Disparate Impact Regulation issued late 2011. Support HUD and the US Department of Justice conducting a thorough investigation of housing discrimination in Alabama as a result of the enactment of HB 56 and move swiftly to enforce the Fair Housing Act when violations are found. Support funding for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Housing Counseling Program at $60 million in FY 2012. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Oppose the faith-based initiatives included in the "Interim Rule on Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support the burden of proof in housing discrimination cases under HUD's proposed Fair Housing Acts Discriminatory Effect Standard should be assigned to the defendant or respondent to show that there is no less discriminatory alternative. Support that HUD revise the proposed rule to impose the burden on the defendant/respondent in the final step of the disparate impact analysis Support the settlement between the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support HUD Housing Counseling programs in FY 2013; oppose Broun / support Capps amendments to H.R. 5972 Express concern over delays in the issuance of Title VI regulations governing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); express strong support for the concept that the LIHTC constitutes federal financial assistance for purposes of Title VI; stress that there are important benefits in protecting the civil rights of current and future residents of LIHTC developments. Support HUD issuing a proposed regulation as soon as possible regarding sexual harassment and other types of harassment covered by the Fair Housing Act, and to finalize that regulation by the end of this year. Strong support for HUDs proposed implementation of the Fair Housing Acts discriminatory effects standard as quickly as possible. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support public housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Oppose amendment by Congressman Garrett (NJ) to H.R. 5972, Fiscal 2013 spending for the Departments of HUD and Transportation which would bar HUD from spending any funds to promulgate or enforce its disparate impact rule under the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Support the CFPB following Dodd Franks structure and language and adopt a rebuttable presumption for mortgages that count as a Qualified Mortgage. Support S. 3494, the Housing for Homeless Students Act. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Urban Development/Municipalities
Promote Urban Development. Promote the fair and equitable re-building of New Orleans. Support municipalities most hurt by foreclosures. Support an increase in Community Development Block Grants. Support full funding for National Trust Fund. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Support S. 922, the Urban Jobs Act. Support for comprehensive jobs legislation to address not only the unemployment crisis facing our nation, but also the challenges being faced by states and local municipalities in meeting the basic education, public safety, health care, child care, and public transportation needs of our communities. Ensure that funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is spent in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Develop a comprehensive surface transportation plan which creates affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background; creates, protects, and ensures fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry; promotes healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and encourages fair and transparent investment of public dollars invested in transportation. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Support full funding for the Election Assistance Commission. Oppose H.R. 672. Support the American Jobs Act HR 12 / S 1549. Support smart, equitable transportation investments that create jobs and improve the economic prospects for disadvantaged communities. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Support a long term transportation bill which will: 1.Preserve and expand existing programs that fund essential transportation options bicycling, walking, and public transportation. 2.Expand access to quality transportation jobs for the chronically-unemployed, low-income people, individuals with disabilities, women, and communities of color. 3.Strengthen enforcement of existing civil rights provisions. 4.Improve transportation outcomes through strategic planning with measures that promote economic and social equity. 5.Reform transportation funding to lower household expenses and foster community development. Support the inclusion of the Construction Careers Demonstration Program for surface transportation construction projects in the surface transportation reauthorization. Support the Cardin-Cochran amendment to MAP-21, which gives local governmentsthose closest to the needs of their constituents and communitiesan opportunity to weigh in on how states spend their Additional Activities federal transportation dollars. Support maintaining the critical transportation equity provisions from MAP-21; Support a comprehensive analysis of civil rights compliance by including an Equal Opportunity Assessment; Ensure recruitment and training in the construction industry by including a Construction Careers Demonstration Project; and Preserve community involvement in local transportation planning and decision making. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose "vulture funds". Support debt relief for poor nations, a.k.a. the Jubilee Act. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),. Support efforts to eliminate predatory loans. Oppose exploitative payday loans; Support 36% interest rate cap; . Oppose federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Express grave concerns about proposed rules for risk-based pricing rule. Strengthening the proposed rule for holding servicers accountable for illegal deeds. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs Support a more thorough investigation into the Capital One /ING merger. Support extending the public comment period on the merger as well as five public hearings around the country. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employees credit report / credit score prior to making any hiring decision. Support HR 321. Support sensible, non-exploitative mortgage lending. Adopt a qualified mortgage standard that will not shut out prospective minority homeowners. Support Richard Cordray to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support the Reed (RI) amendment to S. 1867 which closed a loophole allowing payday lenders to charge members of the military more than 36% for short-term loans. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to define "larger participants" among dect collectors and consumer reporting agencies broadly, yet in a manner that does not allow companies to evade review. Also encouraged the CFPB to examine all of an entities' consumer financial products and services. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requires that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.). Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement between the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. As the CFPB defines the entities that will be subject to examination in this and future rulemakings, it should define larger broadly, prevent evasions by including counting the revenues of affiliated companies and also firms that act as agents or are under contract to another firm, and examine all of an entitys consumer financial products and services even if it is a larger participant in just one market. Strongly support H.R. 2086 and S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act Support extending mortgage protections under the Servicemember Civil Relief Act. Support the Cummings (MD) amendment to HR 4310. Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act of 2012 (S. 3426 / H.R. 6483), which requires all on-line small-dollar lenders (such as payday lenders) to comply with state law if it provides better consumer protections than federal law; prevents national banks and federal savings and loans from making payday loans in violation of the state law where the consumer resides; provides new federal enforcement measures to protect consumers from online payday lenders that seek to evade state consumer protection laws, such as by locating their businesses off-shore, or affiliating with a Native American Tribe and claiming the right to assert the tribes sovereign immunity; empowers Tribes to enlist the help of the CFPB where needed to protect their members from abusive payday lending on the reservation, and respecting tribal laws that provide stronger consumer protections than are available under state law; closes the single payment loophole in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and extending consumer control over electronic payment of credit to all loans; safeguards consumer data by banning lead generators who traffic in payday loan application information via marketing websites, and prohibiting them from anonymously collecting sensitive consumer data; and stops lenders from using borrowers bank account details to create unsigned checks used to withdraw funds, even when consumers have exercised their federal rights against compulsory electronic payment of credit under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Support S. 3452 to impose a federal usury cap on credit while permitting states to set lower rates. Oppose the inclusion of any down payment requirement as part of the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) standard. Oppose H.R. 1909, Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies Charter Act of 2011. Support a prohibition on overdraft fees and any form of credit on pre-paid credit cards. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents. Support the inclusion of a public database as an integral part of the CFPB complaint process. Support S 3452, Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2012". Support HR 6483 / S. 3426, the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic Lending Act of 2012 or SAFE Lending Act of 2012. Oppose the Federal Charter for Payday Lenders bill, H. R. 6139. Expressed concern that the loss mitigation provisions included in the CFPB's proposed servicing regulations , including but not limited to the provisions on dual track, are inadequate to solve the servicing problems that cause unnecessary foreclosures and which are imposing profound and damaging costs on households, neighborhoods and our economy as a whole. We are also seriously concerned about the limits of the error resolution rules. Support S. 3085, The Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012, oppose an amendment to that bill that would provide a so-called safe harbor under the Qualified Mortgage (QM) rules currently being drafted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Banking
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employee's credit report or credit score prior to making a hiring decision. Support HR 321 Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requires that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011, Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement between the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Supported access to individual complaints, as well as data collection as to who is making the complaints, to the CFPB (while putting key protections in place to ensure individual privacy). Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act of 2012 (S. 3426 / H.R. 6483), Support S 3452, Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2012" Oppose the inclusion of any down payment requirement as part of the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) standard. Oppose H.R. 1909, Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies Charter Act of 2011. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents. Support S. 3085, The Responsible Homeowner Refinancing Act of 2012, oppose an amendment to that bill that would provide a so-called safe harbor under the Qualified Mortgage (QM) rules currently being drafted by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · fourth_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · fourth_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
H.R. 836; derivative legislation; General tax issues
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · fourth_quarter · Banking
Lobbying issues were: CFPB (encouraging Congress to keep in place an effective federal consumer-focused banking regulator); overdraft loans (encouraging Congress to implement restrictions on abusive overdraft practices); payday loans (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); the future of the GSEs and the federal housing finance system [continued on next page] [continued from previous page] mortgage lending (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); mortgage loan modifications (encouraging Congress to provide incentive for servicers to modify loans to prevent foreclosures) Specific legislation that was the subject of lobbying activity: S. 222 (to allow for voluntary loss mitigation program in bankruptcy) S. 299 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law). S. 489 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 527 (to continue HAMP) S. 690 (to create an Office of the Homeowner Advocate) S. 737 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) S. 824 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 967 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 1054 (to ensure that the bankruptcy process is fair for consumers) S. 1606 (to oppose reforms to the process by which federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents) S. 1615 (to oppose enhanced economic analysis and justification of regulations proposed by certain federal financial regulators) S. Amdt. 1294 to S. 1867, the Defense Authorization Bill (to enhance consumer credit protections for service members and their families) S. 1963 (to oppose revoking the charters for the government-sponsored enterprises and creating a new Mortgage Finance Agency for the securitization of single family and multifamily mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 2072 (a bill to discourage disincentives to the housing missions of the government-sponsored enterprises and require consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners) S. 3047 (a bill to encourage responsible homeowners to refinance mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 3085 (a bill to provide for the expansion of affordable refinancing of mortgages held by the Federal National Mortgage Assoc. and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.) S. 3254 (to provide for stronger credit protections for servicemembers and their dependent family members) S. 3426 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to address certain issues related to the extension of consumer credit) S. 3452 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish a national usury rate for consumer credit transactions). S. 3468 (to oppose affirming the authority of the president to require independent regulatory agencies to comply with regulatory analysis applicable to executive agencies) S. 3522 (to provide for the expansion of affordable refinancing of mortgages held by FNMA and FHLMC ) [continued from previous page] S. 3571 (to oppose requiring the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to conduct a small business review panel on the qualified mortgage rule before the Bureau can go forward with a final rule) S. 4041 (to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to provide protection for consumers who have prepaid cards, and other purposes) H.R. 10 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law). H.R. 31 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 527 (to oppose a complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes). H.R. 830 (to continue to FHA short refinance program) H.R. 836 (to continue the Emergency Homeowner Relief Program) H.R. 839 (to continue HAMP) H.R. 861 (to continue NSP) H.R. 1121 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) H.R. 1221 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R 1222 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1223 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1224 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1225 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1226 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1227 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1315 (to keep current FSOC veto authority structure in CFPB) H.R. 1355 (to maintain the current CFPB regulatory structure and funding system) H.R. 1477 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1567 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1677 (to keep the current CFPB transfer date in place) H.R. 1697 (to oppose amendments to the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010) H.R. 1783 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1909 (to oppose the federal chartering of Federal Financial Servicing and Credit Companies) H.R. 2081 (to keep the current CFPB regulatory structure) H.R. 3010 (to oppose reforms to the process by which federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents) H.R. 3077 (to ensure customers have the right to close depository account without unreasonable cost or other barriers) H.R. 3461 (to oppose purported improvements to the examination of depository institutions, and for other purposes) H.R. 3644 (to oppose purported standardization and transparency in the mortgage backed security system) H.R. 3648 (to support amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude discharges of indebtness on principal residences from gross income, and for other purposes) H.R. 4101 (to oppose amending the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt a debt collector from liability when leaving certain voice messages for a consumer with respect to a debt as long as the debt collector follows regulations prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection on the appropriate manner in which to leave such a message, and for other purposes) H.R. 4310 (to support amending the Military Lending Act to provide additional enhancements of protections on consumer credit for members of the armed forces and their dependents) [continued from previous page] H.R. 4323 (to oppose amending the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction) H.R. 5691 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices related to the marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs at depository institutions). H.R. 6139 (to oppose federal chartering of national consumer credit corporations) BILLS UNDER DISCUSSION/NOT YET INTRODUCED Senate legislation on government sponsored enterprises (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) Senate legislation on checking account overdraft practices (to require fair practices related to overdraft fees) Senate legislation to address abusive payday lending practices Senate legislation to provide for a safe harbor legal liability standard for qualified mortgages House legislation on debit cards (to ensure there are fair consumer protections for debit card users) Executive branch agencies and issues: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau overdraft fees, bank payday loans, payday loans, mortgage servicing, larger nonbank participants, credit cards, prepaid cards, auto lending, rules to be enforced, lending issues as related to military, interim legal authorities, Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act (AMTPA), mortgage origination rules, depository supervision, qualified mortgage Dept of the Treasury--Office of the Comptroller of the Currency overdraft fees, bank payday loans, preemption, risk retention rules, servicing standards, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review, mortgage origination rules, payday lendings impact on Community Reinvestment Act evaluations Dept of the Treasury HAMP, GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules Federal Reserve Board overdraft fees, bank payday loans, mortgage origination rules, risk retention rules, servicing standards, credit card rules, interchange revenue, Dodd-Frank implementation, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review FDIC -- overdraft fees, risk retention rules, servicing standards, bank payday loans, prepaid cards National Credit Union Administration -- regulation of credit union service organizations, payday lending, payday alternative loans Federal Trade Commission -- auto financing HUD -- GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules White House -- foreclosure prevention, risk retention rules, mortgage refinance Federal Housing Finance Administration -- foreclosure prevention, servicing standards
Client expense: $105,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · fourth_quarter · Banking
Legislation: Regulatory environment affecting banks, including community banks; Debit Card Interchange Fee legislation (S.575, H.R.1081, H.R.3156); GSE legislation (H.R.1182, H.R.31, H.R.1221, H.R.1222,H.R.1223, H.R.1224, H.R.1225, H.R.1226, H.R.1227, H.R.2436, H.R.2441, H.R.2440, H.R.2462, H.R.463, H.R.2439); Mortgage Foreclosure Relief legislation (H.R.830, H.R.836, H.R.839, H.R.861) ; (Continued on next page) Legislation (cont'd.): Credit Union business lending (S.509, H.R.1418, S.2231); Internet Gambling Regulation (H.R.1174); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Governance (H.R.1121, H.R.1315). Small Business Lending (S.493), Bankruptcy Legislation (S.222), National Flood Insurance Reform (H.R.1309, H.R.5740), Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439), Executive Compensation (H.R. 1062), Covered Bonds (H.R.940), Patent Reform (H.R.1249), CFPB Appropriations Legislation. Information Security/Privacy (H.R.2577, H.R.3035, S.1151, S.1408, S.1434, S.1535), Deficit Reduction, American Jobs Act, Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act (H.R.4078), Appropriation Legislation, Patent Office Reform (H.R.1249). Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Fees (H.R. 3765); Flood Insurance Reform & Extension (H.R.2608, HJ Res. 94, HJ Res. 95, H.R.2055, H.R.3671, S.1958); Bank & Corporate Governance (H.R. 1965, S.556, S.1941,H.R.2940, H.R.2930); SEC Registration Threshold (H.R.2167, HR.1070); Sarbanes-Oxley Auditor Requirements (H.R.3213); Restoration of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Higher Loan Limits (Amendment to Ag Appropriations bill); Bank Examination Fairness (H.R.3461,S.2160); Bank Failure Study Legislation (H.R.2056); Federal Tax on Larger Financial Institutions; Credit Union Capital (H.R.3993); Amendment on non-resident alien interest reporting; The JOBS Act - H.R.3606; Municipal Advisor Exemption - H.R.2827; CFPB Confidential Information Protection - H.R.4014; ATM Signage (H.R.4367, S.3204); Transportation; Treasury; Student Loan Appropriations (H.R.4348); Heightened Regulatory Capital Requirements, including the Collins amendment (H.R.3128); protection of privileged information provided to CFPB (S.3204); Mutual mortgage insurance fund (H.R.4264); definition of municipal advisor (H.R.2827); loan guarantees & eminent domain (H.R.6397); TAG extension bill (S.3637); Annual Privacy Notice requirement limits (H.R.5817); CFPB privileged information (H.R. 4014); ATM placard requirements (H.R. 4367). Regulation: Fed. Reg. B (Equal Credit Opportunity) Rules, Fed and FDIC Orderly Resolution Regulations for Systemically Significant Companies, Fin CEN Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements, General Obligation Bonds, Thrift institution regulation and reporting transfer to OCC and Fed, FASB Auditor Independence Rules, OCC Guidance on Deposit-Related Consumer Credit Products, Fed, FDIC and OCC Retail Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulation Q, Fed and FTC Credit Score Disclosure Rules, OCC Foreclosure Guidance. FDIC Assessment, Base & Rate Regulation; Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators; Federal Reserve Regulation II - debit card interchange fee regulation; SEC registration of municipal advisor regulation; FDIC Interest on Lawyer Account deposit insurance coverage regulation; FASB Mark to Market Accounting; shareholder executive compensation rules; FASB lease accounting rules; FASB impairment of financial asset rules; mortgage disclosure regulation; regulatory burden relief; federal garnishment rules; Federal Home Loan Bank system membership; Credit Card Act implementation; Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) amendments; Payment Settlement Entity Reporting; Interest on Non-Resident Alien Account Reporting; Credit Risk Retention Regulation. FDIC and OCC Overdraft and Bank Product Guidance, Repeal of Reg. Q, FHFA Rules on purchase of housing cooperative loans, IRS Guidance on Trust Commissions, Fed Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation, Fed Remittance Transfer Proposal, National bank preemption, Risk-based capital requirements, CFPB Regulations. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting of Assignments in lieu of Mortgage Discharge (Reg C); Restrictions on Bank Proprietary Trading (Volcker Rule); Acquisitions of non-systemically significant financial institutions; Flood Insurance Guidance; Treasury Home Affordable Refinance Program; Examiner Treatment of New York State and Local Government Securities; CFPB Credit Card Disclosures; CFPB Deposit Account Disclosures; CFPB Mortgage Disclosures; Enhanced Regulation of large bank holding companies and non-bank firms. Patent and Trademark Reform Regulatory Implementation; Regulations Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act; Stress Test Regulations; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); Servicing and Foreclosure Guidance and Regulations; Home Loan Bank Member Supervision; CFPB Streamlined Regulations Project; CFPB Regulations on Privileged Information; Qualified Mortgage Safe Harbor; Extension of the TAG Program; Regulations implementing higher capital standards including the market risk capital final rule and 3 proposed rules under Basel III; CFPB proposed regulations on "high cost" mortgage definition; CFPB final and proposed rules on swaps; Federal Reserve rule on fraud prevention adjustments for debit card issuers; CFPB mortgage servicing rules and appraisal requirement rules; CFPB mortgage loan option rule; CFPB proposal on telephone surveys for short-form credit card agreements; OCC rule on the short-term investment fund (STIF); Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advisory on Suspicious Activity Reports; federal regulators guidance on natural disasters; FSOC proposals on Money Market Mutual Funds; CFPB procedures for examiners regarding student lending.
Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2012 · third_quarter · Banking
Legislation: Regulatory environment affecting banks, including community banks; Debit Card Interchange Fee legislation (S.575, H.R.1081, H.R.3156); GSE legislation (H.R.1182, H.R.31, H.R.1221, H.R.1222,H.R.1223, H.R.1224, H.R.1225, H.R.1226, H.R.1227, H.R.2436, H.R.2441, H.R.2440, H.R.2462, H.R.463, H.R.2439); Mortgage Foreclosure Relief legislation (H.R.830, H.R.836, H.R.839, H.R.861) ; (Continued on next page) Legislation (cont'd.): Credit Union business lending (S.509, H.R.1418, S.2231); Internet Gambling Regulation (H.R.1174); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Governance (H.R.1121, H.R.1315). Small Business Lending (S.493), Bankruptcy Legislation (S.222), National Flood Insurance Reform (H.R.1309, H.R.5740), Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439), Executive Compensation (H.R. 1062), Covered Bonds (H.R.940), Patent Reform (H.R.1249), CFPB Appropriations Legislation. Information Security/Privacy (H.R.2577, H.R.3035, S.1151, S.1408, S.1434, S.1535), Deficit Reduction, American Jobs Act, Regulatory Freeze for Jobs Act (H.R.4078), Appropriation Legislation, Patent Office Reform (H.R.1249). Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Fees (H.R. 3765); Flood Insurance Reform & Extension (H.R.2608, HJ Res. 94, HJ Res. 95, H.R.2055, H.R.3671, S.1958); Bank & Corporate Governance (H.R. 1965, S.556, S.1941,H.R.2940, H.R.2930); SEC Registration Threshold (H.R.2167, HR.1070); Sarbanes-Oxley Auditor Requirements (H.R.3213); Restoration of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Higher Loan Limits (Amendment to Ag Appropriations bill); Bank Examination Fairness (H.R.3461,S.2160); Bank Failure Study Legislation (H.R.2056); Federal Tax on Larger Financial Institutions; Credit Union Capital (H.R.3993); Amendment on non-resident alien interest reporting; The JOBS Act - H.R.3606; Municipal Advisor Exemption - H.R.2827; CFPB Confidential Information Protection - H.R.4014; ATM Signage (H.R.4367, S.3204); Transportation; Treasury; Student Loan Appropriations (H.R.4348); Heightened Regulatory Capital Requirements, including the Collins amendment (H.R.3128); protection of privileged information provided to CFPB (S.3204); Mutual mortgage insurance fund (H.R.4264); definition of municipal advisor (H.R.2827); loan guarantees & eminent domain (H.R.6397). Regulation: Fed. Reg. B (Equal Credit Opportunity) Rules, Fed and FDIC Orderly Resolution Regulations for Systemically Significant Companies, Fin CEN Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements, General Obligation Bonds, Thrift institution regulation and reporting transfer to OCC and Fed, FASB Auditor Independence Rules, OCC Guidance on Deposit-Related Consumer Credit Products, Fed, FDIC and OCC Retail Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulation Q, Fed and FTC Credit Score Disclosure Rules, OCC Foreclosure Guidance. FDIC Assessment, Base & Rate Regulation; Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators; Federal Reserve Regulation II - debit card interchange fee regulation; SEC registration of municipal advisor regulation; FDIC Interest on Lawyer Account deposit insurance coverage regulation; FASB Mark to Market Accounting; shareholder executive compensation rules; FASB lease accounting rules; FASB impairment of financial asset rules; mortgage disclosure regulation; regulatory burden relief; federal garnishment rules; Federal Home Loan Bank system membership; Credit Card Act implementation; Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) amendments; Payment Settlement Entity Reporting; Interest on Non-Resident Alien Account Reporting; Credit Risk Retention Regulation. FDIC and OCC Overdraft and Bank Product Guidance, Repeal of Reg. Q, FHFA Rules on purchase of housing cooperative loans, IRS Guidance on Trust Commissions, Fed Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation, Fed Remittance Transfer Proposal, National bank preemption, Risk-based capital requirements, CFPB Regulations. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting of Assignments in lieu of Mortgage Discharge (Reg C); Restrictions on Bank Proprietary Trading (Volcker Rule); Acquisitions of non-systemically significant financial institutions; Flood Insurance Guidance; Treasury Home Affordable Refinance Program; Examiner Treatment of New York State and Local Government Securities; CFPB Credit Card Disclosures; CFPB Deposit Account Disclosures; CFPB Mortgage Disclosures; Enhanced Regulation of large bank holding companies and non-bank firms. Patent and Trademark Reform Regulatory Implementation; Regulations Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act; Stress Test Regulations; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); Servicing and Foreclosure Guidance and Regulations; Home Loan Bank Member Supervision; CFPB Streamlined Regulations Project; CFPB Regulations on Privileged Information; Qualified Mortgage Safe Harbor; Extension of the TAG Program; Regulations implementing higher capital standards including the market risk capital final rule and 3 proposed rules under Basel III; CFPB proposed regulations on "high cost" mortgage definition; CFPB final and proposed rules on swaps; Federal Reserve rule on fraud prevention adjustments for debit card issuers; CFPB mortgage servicing rules and appraisal requirement rules; CFPB mortgage loan option rule; CFPB proposal on telephone surveys for short-form credit card agreements.
Client expense: $40,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2012 · third_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · third_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · third_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 363 (Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act of 2011); H.R. 344 (Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement Act of 2011); H.R. 463 (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011); H.R. 653 (Financial Information Privacy Act of 2011); H.R. 757 (Equitable Treatment of Investors Act); H.R. 836 (Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act); H.R. 1053 (stock quote decimalization); H.R. 1062 (Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act); H.R. 1070 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1082 (Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act); H.R. 1112 (National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2011); H.R. 1151 (Emergency Mortgage Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Cost Recoupment Act of 2011); H.R. 1341 (A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate); H.R. 1438 (Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011); H.R. 1532 (A bill to amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require the joint select committee of Congress to report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation's workforce to full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013); H.R. 1535 (Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 1539 (Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1550 (National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011); H.R. 1573 (To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption); H.R. 1610 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1838 (To repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act prohibiting any Federal bailout of swap dealers or participants); H.R. 1840 (To improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders); H.R. 1965 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.); H.R. 2167 (Private Company Flexibility Act); H.R. 2308 (SEC Regulatory Accountability Act); H.R. 2313 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); H.R. 2413 (Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgages Act of 2011); H.R. 2483 (Whistleblower Improvement Act); H.R. 2517 (Shareholder Protection Act of 2011); H.R. 2586 (Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act); H.R. 2603 (Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act); H.R. 2612 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to prohibit certain acts or practices); H.R. 2651 (To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes); H.R. 2682 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act); H.R. 2779 (To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act); H.R. 2827 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes); H.R. 2855 (Emergency Jobs Now Act); H.R. 2930 (Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act); H.R. 2931 (Full Faith and Credit Act); H.R. 2940 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); H.R. 2964 (Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act); H.R. 3010 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 3078 (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3079 (United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3080 (United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3084 (Mortgage Credit Availability Act of 2011); H.R. 3128 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of exempting smaller institutions from capital deductions); H.R. 3213 (Small Company Job Growth and Regulatory Relief Act of 2011); H.R. 3283 (Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act); H.R. 3313 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); H.R. 3318 (Growing Jobs Through Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3336 (Small Business Credit Availability Act); H.R. 3527 (Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation); H.R. 3530 (Freddie Mac Debt Reduction Act of 2011); H.R. 3606 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); H.R. 3635 (Investing in America's Small Businesses Act of 2011); H.R. 3644 (Private Mortgage Market Investment Act); H.R. 3655 (Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3665 (Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act); H.R. 3733 (Affordable Mortgage for Homeowners Act of 2011); H.R. 3871 (Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012); H.R. 4088 (Capital Expansion Act); H.R. 4235 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to repeal the indemnification requirements for regulatory authorities to obtain access to swap data required to be provided by swaps entities under such Acts.); H.R. 4624 (Investment Advisor Oversight Act of 2012); H.R. 6397 (Defending American Taxpayers from Abusive Government Takings Act of 2012); H. Amdt. 465 (Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the CFTC to promulgate any final rules under the Commodity Exchange Act as added by the Dodd-Frank Act until 12 months after the promulgation of final swap transaction reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act.); S. 23 (Patent Reform Act of 2011); S. 556 (A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1276 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); S. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); S. 1619 (The Currency Exchange Act); S. 1641 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1642 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1643 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1650 (Dodd-Frank Improvement Act of 2011); S. 1787 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); S. 1791 (Democratizing Access to Capital Act of 2011); S. 1824 (Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act); S. 1831 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); S. 1835 (United States Covered Bond Act); S. 1907 (PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2011); S. 1933 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); S. 1941 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1962 (Startup Expansion and Investment Act); S. 1963 (Mortgage Finance Act of 2011); S. 1970 (CROWDFUND Act); S. 1975 (No More IMF Bailouts Act); S. 1997 (FHA Bailout Protection Act of 2011); S. 2033 (Closing the Derivatives Blended Rate Loophole Act); S. 2038 (STOCK Act); S. 2055 (A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.); S. 2102 (Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2012); S. 2105 (Cybersecurity Act of 2012); S. 3414 (A bill to enhance the security and resiliency of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States.); S. 3620 (A bill to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes.); S. Amdt. 1818 to S. 1813 (offshore tax havens); SR-NASDAQ-2012-005 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Establish an Enhanced Display Distributor Fee); SR-NASDAQ-2012-042 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Re-organize NASDAQ's Rules Governing the Fees Applicable to NASDAQ's Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NASDAQ-2012-044 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Modify the Fees Applicable to Non-Display Usage of Certain NASDAQ Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NYSEArca-2011-96 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Establish Fees for the NYSE Arca Integrated Data Feed); FINRA Rule 4560 (short interest reporting); EU data protection rules; Swap dealer and major swap participant recordkeeping and reporting, duties, and conflicts of interest policies and procedures; Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker Conflicts of Interest Policies and Procedures; Swap dealer, major swap participant, and futures commission merchant chief compliance officer; Recordkeeping under Exchange Act Rule 17a-4(b)(4); Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Implementation (Section 913; Section 914; Systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority; Section 342 (Office of Minority and Women Inclusion); Section 621; Section 941); Systemic Risk Regulation and liquidation authority; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Funding (Regulatory Capital Requirements, systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority); Resolution Authority for Systemically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009; China - strategic and economic dialogue; Market Structure Issues (dark pools, flash quotes, high frequency trading); Transatlantic Economic Council (Trade Issues); Preservation of independent contractor status for financial services sector; Asian Pacific Economic Council Privacy Issues; Bilateral Investment Treaties, India; Eminent domain; Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations; Transpacific Partnership; U.S./EU cross-border regulatory issues; India Market Access Issues, Response to Royal Bank of India discussion; European Union proposal regarding Credit Default Swaps and Credit Rating Agencies and their impact on US Markets; EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Proposal (AIFM); Basel Capital Rules; G-20; Amendments to the 2012 Indian Finance Bill; Regulatory Capital Requirements; Single Platform/Government Sponsored Enterprises; SEC Regulation AB2; Trust Indenture Act; Accounting standards for municipalities; Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) reform and funding fees; Financial Stability Board Outreach; Establishment of the Office of Financial Research; Bankruptcy reform for municipalities; Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC); Support of financial literacy; Privacy and cyber security issues; Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) rulemaking; Municipal advisor regulation; Tax-exemption for municipal bonds; Cross-border guidance; CFTC exemptive order on extraterritorial scope of Title VII; Tri-party repo; Computerized trading; Market Data Exchange Act Section 19 (and related rules).
Client expense: $1,530,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Ginnie Mae, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · third_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
H.R. 836; derivative legislation; General tax issues
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $10,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 363 (Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act of 2011); H.R. 344 (Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement Act of 2011); H.R. 463 (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011); H.R. 653 (Financial Information Privacy Act of 2011); H.R. 757 (Equitable Treatment of Investors Act); H.R. 836 (Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act); H.R. 1062 (Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act); H.R. 1070 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1082 (Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act); H.R. 1112 (National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2011); H.R. 1151 (Emergency Mortgage Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Cost Recoupment Act of 2011); H.R. 1341 (A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate); H.R. 1438 (Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011); H.R. 1532 (A bill to amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require the joint select committee of Congress to report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation's workforce to full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013); H.R. 1535 (Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 1539 (Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1550 (National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011); H.R. 1573 (To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption); H.R. 1610 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1838 (To repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act prohibiting any Federal bailout of swap dealers or participants); H.R. 1840 (To improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders); H.R. 1965 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.); H.R. 2167 (Private Company Flexibility Act); H.R. 2308 (SEC Regulatory Accountability Act); H.R. 2313 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); H.R. 2413 (Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgages Act of 2011); H.R. 2483 (Whistleblower Improvement Act); H.R. 2517 (Shareholder Protection Act of 2011); H.R. 2586 (Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act); H.R. 2603 (Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act); H.R. 2612 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to prohibit certain acts or practices); H.R. 2651 (To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes); H.R. 2682 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act); H.R. 2779 (To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act); H.R. 2827 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes); H.R. 2855 (Emergency Jobs Now Act); H.R. 2930 (Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act); H.R. 2931 (Full Faith and Credit Act); H.R. 2940 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); H.R. 2964 (Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act); H.R. 3010 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 3078 (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3079 (United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3080 (United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3084 (Mortgage Credit Availability Act of 2011); H.R. 3128 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of exempting smaller institutions from capital deductions); H.R. 3213 (Small Company Job Growth and Regulatory Relief Act of 2011); H.R. 3283 (Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act); H.R. 3313 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); H.R. 3318 (Growing Jobs Through Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3336 (Small Business Credit Availability Act); H.R. 3527 (Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation); H.R. 3530 (Freddie Mac Debt Reduction Act of 2011); H.R. 3606 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); H.R. 3635 (Investing in America's Small Businesses Act of 2011); H.R. 3644 (Private Mortgage Market Investment Act); H.R. 3655 (Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3665 (Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act); H.R. 3733 (Affordable Mortgage for Homeowners Act of 2011); H.R. 3871 (Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012); H.R. 4088 (Capital Expansion Act); H.R. 4235 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to repeal the indemnification requirements for regulatory authorities to obtain access to swap data required to be provided by swaps entities under such Acts.); H.R. 4624 (Investment Advisor Oversight Act of 2012); H. Amdt. 465 (Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the CFTC to promulgate any final rules under the Commodity Exchange Act as added by the Dodd-Frank Act until 12 months after the promulgation of final swap transaction reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act.); S. 23 (Patent Reform Act of 2011); S. 556 (A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1276 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); S. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); S. 1619 (The Currency Exchange Act); S. 1641 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1642 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1643 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1650 (Dodd-Frank Improvement Act of 2011); S. 1787 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); S. 1791 (Democratizing Access to Capital Act of 2011); S. 1824 (Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act); S. 1831 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); S. 1835 (United States Covered Bond Act); S. 1907 (PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2011); S. 1933 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); S. 1941 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1962 (Startup Expansion and Investment Act); S. 1963 (Mortgage Finance Act of 2011); S. 1970 (CROWDFUND Act); S. 1975 (No More IMF Bailouts Act); S. 1997 (FHA Bailout Protection Act of 2011); S. 2033 (Closing the Derivatives Blended Rate Loophole Act); S. 2038 (STOCK Act); S. 2055 (A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.); S. Amdt. 1818 to S. 1813 (offshore tax havens); SR-NASDAQ-2012-005 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Establish an Enhanced Display Distributor Fee); SR-NASDAQ-2012-042 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Re-organize NASDAQ's Rules Governing the Fees Applicable to NASDAQ's Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NASDAQ-2012-044 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Modify the Fees Applicable to Non-Display Usage of Certain NASDAQ Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NYSEArca-2011-96 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Establish Fees for the NYSE Arca Integrated Data Feed); FINRA Rule 4560 (short interest reporting); EU data protection rules; Swap dealer and major swap participant recordkeeping and reporting, duties, and conflicts of interest policies and procedures; Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker Conflicts of Interest Policies and Procedures; Swap dealer, major swap participant, and futures commission merchant chief compliance officer; Recordkeeping under Exchange Act Rule 17a-4(b)(4); Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Implementation (Section 913; Section 914; Systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority; Section 342 (Office of Minority and Women Inclusion); Section 621; Section 941); Systemic Risk Regulation and liquidation authority; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Funding (Regulatory Capital Requirements, systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority); Resolution Authority for Systemically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009; China - strategic and economic dialogue; Market Structure Issues (dark pools, flash quotes, high frequency trading); Transatlantic Economic Council (Trade Issues); Preservation of independent contractor status for financial services sector; Asian Pacific Economic Council Privacy Issues; Bilateral Investment Treaties, India; Eminent domain; Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations; Transpacific Partnership; U.S./EU cross-border regulatory issues; India Market Access Issues, Response to Royal Bank of India discussion; European Union proposal regarding Credit Default Swaps and Credit Rating Agencies and their impact on US Markets; EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Proposal (AIFM); Basel Capital Rules; G-20; Amendments to the 2012 Indian Finance Bill; Regulatory Capital Requirements; Single Platform/Government Sponsored Enterprises; SEC Regulation AB2; Trust Indenture Act; Accounting standards for municipalities; Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) reform and funding fees; Financial Stability Board Outreach; Establishment of the Office of Financial Research; Bankruptcy reform for municipalities; Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC); Support of financial literacy; Privacy and cyber security issues; Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) rulemaking; Municipal advisor regulation; Tax-exemption for municipal bonds.
Client expense: $1,380,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · third_quarter · Banking
Lobbying issues were: CFPB (encouraging Congress to keep in place an effective federal consumer-focused banking regulator); overdraft loans (encouraging Congress to implement restrictions on abusive overdraft practices); payday loans (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); the future of the GSEs and the federal housing finance system [continued on next page] [continued from previous page] mortgage lending (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); mortgage loan modifications (encouraging Congress to provide incentive for servicers to modify loans to prevent foreclosures) Specific legislation that was the subject of lobbying activity: S. 222 (to allow for voluntary loss mitigation program in bankruptcy) S. 299 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law). S. 489 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 527 (to continue HAMP) S. 690 (to create an Office of the Homeowner Advocate) S. 737 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) S. 824 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 967 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 1054 (to ensure that the bankruptcy process is fair for consumers) S. 1606 (to oppose reforms to the process by which federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents) S. 1615 (to oppose enhanced economic analysis and justification of regulations proposed by certain federal financial regulators) S. Amdt. 1294 to S. 1867, the Defense Authorization Bill (to enhance consumer credit protections for service members and their families) S. 1963 (to oppose revoking the charters for the government-sponsored enterprises and creating a new Mortgage Finance Agency for the securitization of single family and multifamily mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 2072 (a bill to discourage disincentives to the housing missions of the government-sponsored enterprises and require consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners) S. 3047 (a bill to encourage responsible homeowners to refinance mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 3085 (a bill to provide for the expansion of affordable refinancing of mortgages held by the Federal National Mortgage Assoc. and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.) S. 3254 (to provide for stronger credit protections for servicemembers and their dependent family members) S. 3426 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to address certain issues related to the extension of consumer credit) S. 3452 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish a national usury rate for consumer credit transactions). S. 3468 (to oppose affirming the authority of the president to require independent regulatory agencies to comply with regulatory analysis applicable to executive agencies) S. 3522 (to provide for the expansion of affordable refinancing of mortgages held by FNMA and FHLMC ) [continued from previous page] S. 3571 (to oppose requiring the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to conduct a small business review panel on the qualified mortgage rule before the Bureau can go forward with a final rule) S. 4041 (to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to provide protection for consumers who have prepaid cards, and other purposes) H.R. 10 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law). H.R. 31 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 527 (to oppose a complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes). H.R. 830 (to continue to FHA short refinance program) H.R. 836 (to continue the Emergency Homeowner Relief Program) H.R. 839 (to continue HAMP) H.R. 861 (to continue NSP) H.R. 1121 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) H.R. 1221 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R 1222 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1223 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1224 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1225 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1226 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1227 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1315 (to keep current FSOC veto authority structure in CFPB) H.R. 1355 (to maintain the current CFPB regulatory structure and funding system) H.R. 1477 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1567 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1677 (to keep the current CFPB transfer date in place) H.R. 1697 (to oppose amendments to the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010) H.R. 1783 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1909 (to oppose the federal chartering of Federal Financial Servicing and Credit Companies) H.R. 2081 (to keep the current CFPB regulatory structure) H.R. 3010 (to oppose reforms to the process by which federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents) H.R. 3077 (to ensure customers have the right to close depository account without unreasonable cost or other barriers) H.R. 3461 (to oppose purported improvements to the examination of depository institutions, and for other purposes) H.R. 3644 (to oppose purported standardization and transparency in the mortgage backed security system) H.R. 4101 (to oppose amending the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt a debt collector from liability when leaving certain voice messages for a consumer with respect to a debt as long as the debt collector follows regulations prescribed by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection on the appropriate manner in which to leave such a message, and for other purposes) H.R. 4323 (to oppose amending the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction) H.R. 5691 (to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish fair and transparent practices related to the marketing and provision of overdraft coverage programs at depository institutions). H.R. 6139 (to oppose federal chartering of national consumer credit corporations) [continued from previous page] BILLS UNDER DISCUSSION/NOT YET INTRODUCED Senate legislation on government sponsored enterprises (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) Senate legislation on checking account overdraft practices (to require fair practices related to overdraft fees) Senate legislation to address abusive payday lending practices House legislation on debit cards (to ensure there are fair consumer protections for debit card users) Executive branch agencies and issues: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau overdraft fees, bank payday loans, payday loans, mortgage servicing, larger nonbank participants, credit cards, prepaid cards, auto lending, rules to be enforced, lending issues as related to military, interim legal authorities, Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act (AMTPA), mortgage origination rules, depository supervision, qualified mortgage Dept of the Treasury--Office of the Comptroller of the Currency overdraft fees, bank payday loans, preemption, risk retention rules, servicing standards, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review, mortgage origination rules Dept of the Treasury HAMP, GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules Federal Reserve Board overdraft fees, bank payday loans, mortgage origination rules, risk retention rules, servicing standards, credit card rules, interchange revenue, Dodd-Frank implementation, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review FDIC -- overdraft fees, risk retention rules, servicing standards, bank payday loans, prepaid cards National Credit Union Administration -- regulation of credit union service organizations, payday lending Federal Trade Commission -- auto financing HUD -- GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules White House -- foreclosure prevention, risk retention rules, mortgage refinance Federal Housing Finance Administration -- foreclosure prevention, servicing standards
Client expense: $100,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · third_quarter · Urban Development/Municipalities
Promote Urban Development. Promote the fair and equitable re-building of New Orleans. Support municipalities most hurt by foreclosures. Support an increase in Community Development Block Grants. Support full funding for National Trust Fund. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Support S. 922, the Urban Jobs Act. Support for comprehensive jobs legislation to address not only the unemployment crisis facing our nation, but also the challenges being faced by states and local municipalities in meeting the basic education, public safety, health care, child care, and public transportation needs of our communities. Ensure that funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is spent in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Develop a comprehensive surface transportation plan which creates affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background; creates, protects, and ensures fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry; promotes healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and encourages fair and transparent investment of public dollars invested in transportation. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Support full funding for the Election Assistance Commission. Oppose H.R. 672. Support the American Jobs Act HR 12 / S 1549. Support smart, equitable transportation investments that create jobs and improve the economic prospects for disadvantaged communities. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Support a long term transportation bill which will: 1.Preserve and expand existing programs that fund essential transportation options bicycling, walking, and public transportation. 2.Expand access to quality transportation jobs for the chronically-unemployed, low-income people, individuals with disabilities, women, and communities of color. 3.Strengthen enforcement of existing civil rights provisions. 4.Improve transportation outcomes through strategic planning with measures that promote economic and social equity. 5.Reform transportation funding to lower household expenses and foster community development. Support the inclusion of the Construction Careers Demonstration Program for surface transportation construction projects in the surface transportation reauthorization. Support the Cardin-Cochran amendment to MAP-21, which gives local governmentsthose closest to the needs of their constituents and communitiesan opportunity to weigh in on how states spend their Additional Activities federal transportation dollars. Support maintaining the critical transportation equity provisions from MAP-21; Support a comprehensive analysis of civil rights compliance by including an Equal Opportunity Assessment; Ensure recruitment and training in the construction industry by including a Construction Careers Demonstration Project; and Preserve community involvement in local transportation planning and decision making. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · third_quarter · Housing
Continued and strengthened enforcement of Fair Housing Laws; equal access to adequate and affordable housing for all Americans. Support H.R. 284. End homelessness. Support full funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Oppose the elimination of housing counseling funds in H.R. 1437, funding for fiscal year 2011. End the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Ensure adequate housing for low-income veterans. Support increase in funding for the FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) and FHAP (the Fair Housing Assistance Program) programs. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Strong support for the National Housing Trust Fund and for federal funding of this program. Oppose H.R. 2441. Support the federal government placing a moratorium on home foreclosures until a thorough review can establish which ones are being made in error. Support National Homeownership Month. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs. Increase / restore money for the HUD housing counseling program. Support Senator Sherrod Brown's amendment to HR 2112 to provide $87.5 million for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Support a strong HUD regulation on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as well as a regulation from HUD on disparate impact and getting the regulations out and available for comment soon. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support a strong HUD regulation on sexual harassment. Support extending the deadline for HUD EHLP program, or at least allowing people with their applications in an extension for getting the remainder of their information & paperwork submitted. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Support the majority of the HUD Disparate Impact Regulation issued late 2011. Support HUD and the US Department of Justice conducting a thorough investigation of housing discrimination in Alabama as a result of the enactment of HB 56 and move swiftly to enforce the Fair Housing Act when violations are found. Support funding for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Housing Counseling Program at $60 million in FY 2012. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Oppose the faith-based initiatives included in the "Interim Rule on Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support the burden of proof in housing discrimination cases under HUD's proposed Fair Housing Acts Discriminatory Effect Standard should be assigned to the defendant or respondent to show that there is no less discriminatory alternative. Support that HUD revise the proposed rule to impose the burden on the defendant/respondent in the final step of the disparate impact analysis Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support HUD Housing Counseling programs in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972. Express concern over delays in the issuance of Title VI regulations governing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); express strong support for the concept that the LIHTC constitutes federal financial assistance for purposes of Title VI; stress that there are important benefits in protecting the civil rights of current and future residents of LIHTC developments. Support HUD issuing a proposed regulation as soon as possible regarding sexual harassment and other types of harassment covered by the Fair Housing Act, and to finalize that regulation by the end of this year. Strong support for HUDs proposed implementation of the Fair Housing Acts discriminatory effects standard as quickly as possible. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support public housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Oppose amendment by Congressman Garrett (NJ) to H.R. 5972, Fiscal 2013 spending for the Departments of HUD and Transportation which would bar HUD from spending any funds to promulgate or enforce its disparate impact rule under the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Support the CFPB following Dodd Franks structure and language and adopt a rebuttable presumption for mortgages that count as a Qualified Mortgage. Support S. 3494, the Housing for Homeless Students Act. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · third_quarter · Banking
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employee's credit report or credit score prior to making a hiring decision. Support HR 321 Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011, Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Supported access to idividual complaints, as well as data collection as to who is making the complaints, to the CFPB (while puting key protections in place to ensure individual privacy). Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act of 2012 (S. 3426 / H.R. 6483), which requires all on-line small-dollar lenders (such as payday lenders) to comply with state law if it provides better consumer protections than federal law; prevents national banks and federal savings and loans from making payday loans in violation of the state law where the consumer resides; provides new federal enforcement measures to protect consumers from online payday lenders that seek to evade state consumer protection laws, such as by locating their businesses off-shore, or affiliating with a Native American Tribe and claiming the right to assert the tribes sovereign immunity; empowers Tribes to enlist the help of the CFPB where needed to protect their members from abusive payday lending on the reservation, and respecting tribal laws that provide stronger consumer protections than are available under state law; closes the single payment loophole in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and extending consumer control over electronic payment of credit to all loans; safeguards consumer data by banning lead generators who traffic in payday loan application information via marketing websites, and prohibiting them from anonymously collecting sensitive consumer data; and stops lenders from using borrowers bank account details to create unsigned checks used to withdraw funds, even when consumers have exercised their federal rights against compulsory electronic payment of credit under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Support S. 3452 to impose a federal usury cap on credit while permitting states to set lower rates. Oppose the inclusion of any down payment requirement as part of the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) standard. Oppose H.R. 1909, Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies Charter Act of 2011. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · third_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose "vulture funds". Support debt relief for poor nations, a.k.a. the Jubilee Act. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),. Support efforts to eliminate predatory loans. Oppose exploitative payday loans; Support 36% interest rate cap; . Oppose federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Express grave concerns about proposed rules for risk-based pricing rule. Strengthening the proposed rule for holding servicers accountable for illegal deeds. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs Support a more thorough investigation into the Capital One /ING merger. Support extending the public comment period on the merger as well as five public hearings around the country. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employees credit report / credit score prior to making any hiring decision. Support HR 321. Support sensible, non-exploitative mortgage lending. Adopt a qualified mortgage standard that will not shut out prospective minority homeowners. Support Richard Cordray to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support the Reed (RI) amendment to S. 1867 which closed a loophole allowing payday lenders to charge members of the military more than 36% for short-term loans. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the accountholder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Urge the Consumver Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to define "larger participants" among dect collecters and consumer reporting agencies broadly, yet in a manner that does not allow companies to evade review. Also encouraged the CFPB to examine all of an entities' consumer financial products and services. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.). Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. As the CFPB defines the entities that will be subject to examination in this and future rulemakings, it should define larger broadly, prevent evasions by including counting the revenues of affiliated companies and also firms that act as agents or are under contract to another firm, and examine all of an entitys consumer financial products and services even if it is a larger participant in just one market. Strongly support H.R. 2086 and S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act Support extending mortgage protections under the Servicemember Civil Reflieef Act. Support the Cummings (MD) amendment to HR 4310. Support that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau develop and promulgate adequate mortgage servicing rules that will cover the range of market participants, make the needed changes, last beyond individual time-limited programs, and be effectively enforceable (urge the CFPB to amend current proposed rules). Support the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act of 2012 (S. 3426 / H.R. 6483), which requires all on-line small-dollar lenders (such as payday lenders) to comply with state law if it provides better consumer protections than federal law; prevents national banks and federal savings and loans from making payday loans in violation of the state law where the consumer resides; provides new federal enforcement measures to protect consumers from online payday lenders that seek to evade state consumer protection laws, such as by locating their businesses off-shore, or affiliating with a Native American Tribe and claiming the right to assert the tribes sovereign immunity; empowers Tribes to enlist the help of the CFPB where needed to protect their members from abusive payday lending on the reservation, and respecting tribal laws that provide stronger consumer protections than are available under state law; closes the single payment loophole in the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and extending consumer control over electronic payment of credit to all loans; safeguards consumer data by banning lead generators who traffic in payday loan application information via marketing websites, and prohibiting them from anonymously collecting sensitive consumer data; and stops lenders from using borrowers bank account details to create unsigned checks used to withdraw funds, even when consumers have exercised their federal rights against compulsory electronic payment of credit under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Support S. 3452 to impose a federal usury cap on credit while permitting states to set lower rates. Oppose the inclusion of any down payment requirement as part of the Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) standard. Oppose H.R. 1909, Federal Financial Services and Credit Companies Charter Act of 2011. Support a prohibition on overdraft fees and any form of credit on pre-paid credit cards. Advocated that the United States use its stature and position to have the NAACP policy agenda included in any and all relevant United Nations' treaties and other compliance documents. Support the inclusion of a public database as an integral part of the CFPB complaint process
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · third_quarter · Banking
H.R.1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners. H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $614,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Urban Development/Municipalities
Promote Urban Development. Promote the fair and equitable re-building of New Orleans. Support municipalities most hurt by foreclosures. Support an increase in Community Development Block Grants. Support full funding for National Trust Fund. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Support S. 922, the Urban Jobs Act. Support for comprehensive jobs legislation to address not only the unemployment crisis facing our nation, but also the challenges being faced by states and local municipalities in meeting the basic education, public safety, health care, child care, and public transportation needs of our communities. Ensure that funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is spent in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Develop a comprehensive surface transportation plan which creates affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background; creates, protects, and ensures fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry; promotes healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and encourages fair and transparent investment of public dollars invested in transportation. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Support full funding for the Election Assistance Commission. Oppose H.R. 672. Support the American Jobs Act HR 12 / S 1549. Support smart, equitable transportation investments that create jobs and improve the economic prospects for disadvantaged communities. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Support a long term transportation bill which will: 1.Preserve and expand existing programs that fund essential transportation options bicycling, walking, and public transportation. 2.Expand access to quality transportation jobs for the chronically-unemployed, low-income people, individuals with disabilities, women, and communities of color. 3.Strengthen enforcement of existing civil rights provisions. 4.Improve transportation outcomes through strategic planning with measures that promote economic and social equity. 5.Reform transportation funding to lower household expenses and foster community development. Support the inclusion of the Construction Careers Demonstration Program for surface transportation construction projects in the surface transportation reauthorization. Support the Cardin-Cochran amendment to MAP-21, which gives local governmentsthose closest to the needs of their constituents and communitiesan opportunity to weigh in on how states spend their Additional Activities federal transportation dollars. Support maintaining the critical transportation equity provisions from MAP-21; Support a comprehensive analysis of civil rights compliance by including an Equal Opportunity Assessment; Ensure recruitment and training in the construction industry by including a Construction Careers Demonstration Project; and Preserve community involvement in local transportation planning and decision making. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Housing
Continued and strengthened enforcement of Fair Housing Laws; equal access to adequate and affordable housing for all Americans. Support H.R. 284. End homelessness. Support full funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Oppose the elimination of housing counseling funds in H.R. 1437, funding for fiscal year 2011. End the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Ensure adequate housing for low-income veterans. Support increase in funding for the FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) and FHAP (the Fair Housing Assistance Program) programs. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Strong support for the National Housing Trust Fund and for federal funding of this program. Oppose H.R. 2441. Support the federal government placing a moratorium on home foreclosures until a thorough review can establish which ones are being made in error. Support National Homeownership Month. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs. Increase / restore money for the HUD housing counseling program. Support Senator Sherrod Brown's amendment to HR 2112 to provide $87.5 million for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Support a strong HUD regulation on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as well as a regulation from HUD on disparate impact and getting the regulations out and available for comment soon. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support a strong HUD regulation on sexual harassment. Support extending the deadline for HUD EHLP program, or at least allowing people with their applications in an extension for getting the remainder of their information & paperwork submitted. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Support the majority of the HUD Disparate Impact Regulation issued late 2011. Support HUD and the US Department of Justice conducting a thorough investigation of housing discrimination in Alabama as a result of the enactment of HB 56 and move swiftly to enforce the Fair Housing Act when violations are found. Support funding for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Housing Counseling Program at $60 million in FY 2012. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Oppose the faith-based initiatives included in the "Interim Rule on Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support the burden of proof in housing discrimination cases under HUD's proposed Fair Housing Acts Discriminatory Effect Standard should be assigned to the defendant or respondent to show that there is no less discriminatory alternative. Support that HUD revise the proposed rule to impose the burden on the defendant/respondent in the final step of the disparate impact analysis Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support HUD Housing Counseling programs in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972. Express concern over delays in the issuance of Title VI regulations governing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); express strong support for the concept that the LIHTC constitutes federal financial assistance for purposes of Title VI; stress that there are important benefits in protecting the civil rights of current and future residents of LIHTC developments. Support HUD issuing a proposed regulation as soon as possible regarding sexual harassment and other types of harassment covered by the Fair Housing Act, and to finalize that regulation by the end of this year. Strong support for HUDs proposed implementation of the Fair Housing Acts discriminatory effects standard as quickly as possible. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support public housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Oppose amendment by Congressman Garrett (NJ) to H.R. 5972, Fiscal 2013 spending for the Departments of HUD and Transportation which would bar HUD from spending any funds to promulgate or enforce its disparate impact rule under the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Support the CFPB following Dodd Franks structure and language and adopt a rebuttable presumption for mortgages that count as a Qualified Mortgage.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose "vulture funds". Support debt relief for poor nations, a.k.a. the Jubilee Act. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),. Support efforts to eliminate predatory loans. Oppose exploitative payday loans; Support 36% interest rate cap; . Oppose federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Express grave concerns about proposed rules for risk-based pricing rule. Strengthening the proposed rule for holding servicers accountable for illegal deeds. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs Support a more thorough investigation into the Capital One /ING merger. Support extending the public comment period on the merger as well as five public hearings around the country. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employees credit report / credit score prior to making any hiring decision. Support HR 321. Support sensible, non-exploitative mortgage lending. Adopt a qualified mortgage standard that will not shut out prospective minority homeowners. Support Richard Cordray to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support the Reed (RI) amendment to S. 1867 which closed a loophole allowing payday lenders to charge members of the military more than 36% for short-term loans. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the accountholder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Urge the Consumver Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to define "larger participants" among dect collecters and consumer reporting agencies broadly, yet in a manner that does not allow companies to evade review. Also encouraged the CFPB to examine all of an entities' consumer financial products and services. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.). Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. As the CFPB defines the entities that will be subject to examination in this and future rulemakings, it should define larger broadly, prevent evasions by including counting the revenues of affiliated companies and also firms that act as agents or are under contract to another firm, and examine all of an entitys consumer financial products and services even if it is a larger participant in just one market. Strongly support H.R. 2086 and S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act Support extending mortgage protections under the Servicemember Civil Reflieef Act. Support the Cummings (MD) amendment to HR 4310
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Banking
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employee's credit report or credit score prior to making a hiring decision. Support HR 321 Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011, Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Supported access to idividual complaints, as well as data collection as to who is making the complaints, to the CFPB (while puting key protections in place to ensure individual privacy). Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Housing
Continued and strengthened enforcement of Fair Housing Laws; equal access to adequate and affordable housing for all Americans. Support H.R. 284. End homelessness. Support full funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Oppose the elimination of housing counseling funds in H.R. 1437, funding for fiscal year 2011. End the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Ensure adequate housing for low-income veterans. Support increase in funding for the FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) and FHAP (the Fair Housing Assistance Program) programs. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Strong support for the National Housing Trust Fund and for federal funding of this program. Oppose H.R. 2441. Support the federal government placing a moratorium on home foreclosures until a thorough review can establish which ones are being made in error. Support National Homeownership Month. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs. Increase / restore money for the HUD housing counseling program. Support Senator Sherrod Brown's amendment to HR 2112 to provide $87.5 million for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Support a strong HUD regulation on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as well as a regulation from HUD on disparate impact and getting the regulations out and available for comment soon. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support a strong HUD regulation on sexual harassment. Support extending the deadline for HUD EHLP program, or at least allowing people with their applications in an extension for getting the remainder of their information & paperwork submitted. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Support the majority of the HUD Disparate Impact Regulation issued late 2011. Support HUD and the US Department of Justice conducting a thorough investigation of housing discrimination in Alabama as a result of the enactment of HB 56 and move swiftly to enforce the Fair Housing Act when violations are found. Support funding for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Housing Counseling Program at $60 million in FY 2012. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Oppose the faith-based initiatives included in the "Interim Rule on Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support the burden of proof in housing discrimination cases under HUD's proposed Fair Housing Acts Discriminatory Effect Standard should be assigned to the defendant or respondent to show that there is no less discriminatory alternative. Support that HUD revise the proposed rule to impose the burden on the defendant/respondent in the final step of the disparate impact analysis Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support HUD Housing Counseling programs in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972. Express concern over delays in the issuance of Title VI regulations governing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC); express strong support for the concept that the LIHTC constitutes federal financial assistance for purposes of Title VI; stress that there are important benefits in protecting the civil rights of current and future residents of LIHTC developments. Support HUD issuing a proposed regulation as soon as possible regarding sexual harassment and other types of harassment covered by the Fair Housing Act, and to finalize that regulation by the end of this year. Strong support for HUDs proposed implementation of the Fair Housing Acts discriminatory effects standard as quickly as possible. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support the HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support public housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Support HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing in FY 2013; oppose Broun amendment to H.R. 5972 Oppose amendment by Congressman Garrett (NJ) to H.R. 5972, Fiscal 2013 spending for the Departments of HUD and Transportation which would bar HUD from spending any funds to promulgate or enforce its disparate impact rule under the 1968 Fair Housing Act. Support the CFPB following Dodd Franks structure and language and adopt a rebuttable presumption for mortgages that count as a Qualified Mortgage.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Banking
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employee's credit report or credit score prior to making a hiring decision. Support HR 321 Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011, Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Supported access to idividual complaints, as well as data collection as to who is making the complaints, to the CFPB (while puting key protections in place to ensure individual privacy). Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards.
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Urban Development/Municipalities
Promote Urban Development. Promote the fair and equitable re-building of New Orleans. Support municipalities most hurt by foreclosures. Support an increase in Community Development Block Grants. Support full funding for National Trust Fund. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Support S. 922, the Urban Jobs Act. Support for comprehensive jobs legislation to address not only the unemployment crisis facing our nation, but also the challenges being faced by states and local municipalities in meeting the basic education, public safety, health care, child care, and public transportation needs of our communities. Ensure that funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is spent in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Develop a comprehensive surface transportation plan which creates affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background; creates, protects, and ensures fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry; promotes healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and encourages fair and transparent investment of public dollars invested in transportation. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Support full funding for the Election Assistance Commission. Oppose H.R. 672. Support the American Jobs Act HR 12 / S 1549. Support smart, equitable transportation investments that create jobs and improve the economic prospects for disadvantaged communities. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Support a long term transportation bill which will: 1.Preserve and expand existing programs that fund essential transportation options bicycling, walking, and public transportation. 2.Expand access to quality transportation jobs for the chronically-unemployed, low-income people, individuals with disabilities, women, and communities of color. 3.Strengthen enforcement of existing civil rights provisions. 4.Improve transportation outcomes through strategic planning with measures that promote economic and social equity. 5.Reform transportation funding to lower household expenses and foster community development. Support the inclusion of the Construction Careers Demonstration Program for surface transportation construction projects in the surface transportation reauthorization. Support the Cardin-Cochran amendment to MAP-21, which gives local governmentsthose closest to the needs of their constituents and communitiesan opportunity to weigh in on how states spend their Additional Activities federal transportation dollars. Support maintaining the critical transportation equity provisions from MAP-21; Support a comprehensive analysis of civil rights compliance by including an Equal Opportunity Assessment; Ensure recruitment and training in the construction industry by including a Construction Careers Demonstration Project; and Preserve community involvement in local transportation planning and decision making. Support the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose "vulture funds". Support debt relief for poor nations, a.k.a. the Jubilee Act. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),. Support efforts to eliminate predatory loans. Oppose exploitative payday loans; Support 36% interest rate cap; . Oppose federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Express grave concerns about proposed rules for risk-based pricing rule. Strengthening the proposed rule for holding servicers accountable for illegal deeds. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs Support a more thorough investigation into the Capital One /ING merger. Support extending the public comment period on the merger as well as five public hearings around the country. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employees credit report / credit score prior to making any hiring decision. Support HR 321. Support sensible, non-exploitative mortgage lending. Adopt a qualified mortgage standard that will not shut out prospective minority homeowners. Support Richard Cordray to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support the Reed (RI) amendment to S. 1867 which closed a loophole allowing payday lenders to charge members of the military more than 36% for short-term loans. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the accountholder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Urge the Consumver Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to define "larger participants" among dect collecters and consumer reporting agencies broadly, yet in a manner that does not allow companies to evade review. Also encouraged the CFPB to examine all of an entities' consumer financial products and services. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.). Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel. Oppose the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4078), which includes the Regulatory Freeze For Jobs Act, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2012" (H.R. 4607), and the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 (H.R. 3862), among other harmful bills. Support the prohibition of overdraft fees and credit on Prepaid Cards (letter to the CFPB). Oppose H.R. 6139, the National Consumer Credit Corporation Charter and Consumer Access Innovation Act of 2012, and any similar legislation that may be introduced. Oppose all proposals to weaken the structure, powers or funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including the proposal which would eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus (CFPB) independence by making it the only bank regulatory agency placed under the appropriations process. Oppose Urban Trust Bank from partnering with the payday lender CheckSmart (formerly known as Buckeye Check Cashing) and Insight Card Services, LLC to help CheckSmart evade state usury and payday loan laws by making payday loans on prepaid cards. As the CFPB defines the entities that will be subject to examination in this and future rulemakings, it should define larger broadly, prevent evasions by including counting the revenues of affiliated companies and also firms that act as agents or are under contract to another firm, and examine all of an entitys consumer financial products and services even if it is a larger participant in just one market. Strongly support H.R. 2086 and S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act Support extending mortgage protections under the Servicemember Civil Reflieef Act. Support the Cummings (MD) amendment to HR 4310
Client expense: $62,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 1221 - Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2011 H.R. 1222 - GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011 H.R. 1223 - GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011 H.R. 31 - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act H.R. 1224 - Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011 H.R. 1225 - GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011 H.R. 1226 - GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011 H.R. 1227 - GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011 H.R. 830 - FHA Refinance Program Termination Act H.R. 836 - Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act H.R. 839 - The HAMP Termination Act of 2011 H.R. 861 - NSP Termination Act H.R. 940 - United States Covered Bond Act of 2011 H.R. 1062 - The Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act H.R. 1573 - To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption H.R. 1528 - Consumer Privacy Protection Act of 2011 S. 693 - GSE Bailout Elimination and Taxpayer Protection Act No Bill - Adjustment to the U.S. Government debt limit No Bill - Issues relating to GSE/Housing Finance Reform H.R. 2308 - SEC Regulatory Accountability Act H.R. 463 - Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011 H. R. 2439 - Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership S. 1835 - U.S Covered Bond Act H.R. 3644 - Private Mortgage Market Investment Act S. 1834 - Residential Mortgage Market Privatization and Standardization Act of 2011 No Bill - Implementation of Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act - Prohibitions on proprietary trading and certain relationships with hedge funds and private equity funds. No Bill - Implementation of Title VII; Subtitle A; Part II of the Dodd-Frank Act - Regulation of Swap Markets No Bill - Issues Relating to the Office of National Insurance H.R. 2779 - To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. S. 2048 - A Bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the tax treatment of certain life insurance contract transactions, and for other purposes H.R. 3475 - Keep IDs Safe Act
Client expense: $2,210,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · second_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $50,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · second_quarter · Housing
H.R. 2441, the Housing Trust Fund Elimination Act; H.R. 463, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011; H.R. 2436, the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Taxpayer Payback Act of 2011; H.R. 2439, Eliminate the GSE Charter During Receivership; H.R. 2462, Cap the GSE Bailout Act; H.R. 31, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Accountability and Transparency for Taxpayers Act; H.R. 1222 , GSE Subsidy Elimination Act of 2011; H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011; H.R. 1224, Portfolio Risk Reduction Act of 2011; H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011; H.R. 1226, GSE Mission Improvement Act of 2011; H.R. 1227, GSE Risk and Activities Limitation Act of 2011; H.R. 830, FHA Refinance Program Termination Act; H.R. 836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · second_quarter · Banking
Lobbying issues were: CFPB (encouraging Congress to keep in place an effective federal consumer-focused banking regulator); overdraft loans (encouraging Congress to implement restrictions on abusive overdraft practices); payday loans (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); the future of the GSEs and the federal housing finance system [continued on next page] [continued from previous page] mortgage lending (encouraging Congress to prohibit abusive products and practices); mortgage loan modifications (encouraging Congress to provide incentive for servicers to modify loans to prevent foreclosures) Specific legislation that was the subject of lobbying activity: S. 222 (to allow for voluntary loss mitigation program in bankruptcy) S. 299 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law) S. 489 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 527 (to continue HAMP) S. 690 (to create an Office of the Homeowner Advocate) S. 737 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) S. 824 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 967 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) S. 1054 (to ensure that the bankruptcy process is fair for consumers) S. 1606 (to oppose reforms to process by which federal agencies analyze/formulate new regulations/guidance documents) S. 1615 (to oppose enhanced economic analysis and justification of regulations proposed by certain federal financial regulators) S. Amdt. 1294 to S. 1867, the Defense Authorization Bill (to enhance consumer credit protections for service members and their families) S. 1963 (to oppose revoking the charters for government-sponsored enterprises and creating a new Mortgage Finance Agency for the securitization of single family and multifamily mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 2072 (a bill to discourage disincentives to the housing missions of GSEs and require consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners) S. 2909 (a bill to require closing costs to be paid by the enterprises with respect to certain refinanced mortgage loans, and for other purposes) S. 3047 (a bill to encourage responsible homeowners to refinance mortgages, and for other purposes) S. 3085 (a bill to provide for the expansion of affordable refinancing of mortgages held by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) S. 4041 (to amend Electronic Fund Transfer Act to provide protection for consumers with prepaid cards, and other purposes) H.R. 10 (to oppose requirement that major rules of the executive branch would have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law) H.R. 31 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 527 (to oppose a complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and for other purposes) H.R. 830 (to continue FHA short refinance program) [continued from previous page] H.R. 836 (to continue the Emergency Homeowner Relief Program) H.R. 839 (to continue HAMP) H.R. 861 (to continue NSP) H.R. 1121 (to keep current regulatory structure of CFPB) H.R. 1221 -- HR 1227 (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) H.R. 1315 (to keep current FSOC veto authority structure in CFPB) H.R. 1355 (to maintain the current CFPB regulatory structure and funding system) H.R. 1477 & 1567 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1677 (to keep the current CFPB transfer date in place) H.R. 1697 (to oppose amendments to the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010) H.R. 1783 (to require minimum mortgage servicing standards) H.R. 1909 (to oppose the federal chartering of Federal Financial Servicing and Credit Companies) H.R. 2081 (to keep the current CFPB regulatory structure) H.R. 3010 (to oppose reforms to the process by which federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents) H.R. 3077 (to ensure customers have the right to close depository accounts without unreasonable cost or other barriers) H.R. 3461 (to oppose purported improvements to the examination of depository institutions, and for other purposes) H.R. 3644 (to oppose purported standardization and transparency in the mortgage backed security system) H.R. 4101 (to oppose amending the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exempt a debt collector from liability when leaving certain voice messages for a consumer) H.R. 4323 (to oppose amending the Truth in Lending Act to change the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction) Bills under discussion/not yet introduced: Senate legislation to enhance protections on consumer credit for members of the armed forces and their dependents. Senate legislation to amend the Truth in Lending Act to address certain issues related to the extension of consumer credit, and for other purposes. Senate legislation to amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish a national usury rate for consumer credit transactions. Senate legislation on government sponsored enterprises (to ensure that there is a secondary market to serve low- and moderate-income communities) Senate legislation on checking account overdraft practices (to require fair practices related to overdraft fees) Senate legislation to protect consumers from abusive Internet payday lending practices Senate legislation to address abusive payday lending practices House legislation on debit cards (to ensure there are fair consumer protections for debit card users) House legislation on the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (to ensure consumers' privacy rights regarding voice messages left by debt collectors) House legislation on checking account overdraft practices (to require fair practices related to overdraft fees) [continued from previous page] Executive branch agencies and issues: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau overdraft fees, bank payday loans, payday loans, mortgage servicing, larger nonbank participants, credit cards, prepaid cards, auto lending, rules to be enforced, lending issues as related to military, interim legal authorities, Alternative Mortgage Transaction Parity Act (AMTPA), mortgage origination rules, depository supervision, qualified mortgage Dept of the Treasury--Office of the Comptroller of the Currency overdraft fees, bank payday loans, preemption, risk retention rules, servicing standards, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review, mortgage origination rules Dept of the Treasury HAMP, GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules Federal Reserve Board overdraft fees, bank payday loans, mortgage origination rules, risk retention rules, servicing standards, credit card rules, interchange revenue, Dodd-Frank implementation, servicing consent order/independent foreclosure review FDIC -- overdraft fees, risk retention rules, servicing standards, bank payday loans, prepaid cards National Credit Union Administration -- regulation of credit union service organizations, payday lending Federal Trade Commission -- auto financing HUD -- GSE reform, risk retention rules, mortgage origination rules White House -- foreclosure prevention, risk retention rules, mortgage refinance Federal Housing Finance Administration -- foreclosure prevention, servicing standards
Client expense: $280,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 363 (Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act of 2011); H.R. 344 (Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement Act of 2011); H.R. 463 (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011); H.R. 653 (Financial Information Privacy Act of 2011); H.R. 757 (Equitable Treatment of Investors Act); H.R. 836 (Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act); H.R. 1062 (Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act); H.R. 1070 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1082 (Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act); H.R. 1112 (National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2011); H.R. 1151 (Emergency Mortgage Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Cost Recoupment Act of 2011); H.R. 1341 (A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate); H.R. 1438 (Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011); H.R. 1532 (A bill to amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require the joint select committee of Congress to report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation's workforce to full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013); H.R. 1535 (Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 1539 (Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1550 (National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011); H.R. 1573 (To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption); H.R. 1610 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1838 (To repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act prohibiting any Federal bailout of swap dealers or participants); H.R. 1840 (To improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders); H.R. 1965 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.); H.R. 2167 (Private Company Flexibility Act); H.R. 2308 (SEC Regulatory Accountability Act); H.R. 2313 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); H.R. 2413 (Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgages Act of 2011); H.R. 2483 (Whistleblower Improvement Act); H.R. 2517 (Shareholder Protection Act of 2011); H.R. 2586 (Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act); H.R. 2603 (Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act); H.R. 2612 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to prohibit certain acts or practices); H.R. 2651 (To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes); H.R. 2682 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act); H.R. 2779 (To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act); H.R. 2827 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes); H.R. 2855 (Emergency Jobs Now Act); H.R. 2930 (Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act); H.R. 2931 (Full Faith and Credit Act); H.R. 2940 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); H.R. 2964 (Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act); H.R. 3010 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 3078 (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3079 (United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3080 (United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3084 (Mortgage Credit Availability Act of 2011); H.R. 3128 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of exempting smaller institutions from capital deductions); H.R. 3213 (Small Company Job Growth and Regulatory Relief Act of 2011); H.R. 3283 (Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act); H.R. 3313 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); H.R. 3318 (Growing Jobs Through Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3336 (Small Business Credit Availability Act); H.R. 3527 (Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation); H.R. 3530 (Freddie Mac Debt Reduction Act of 2011); H.R. 3606 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); H.R. 3635 (Investing in America's Small Businesses Act of 2011); H.R. 3644 (Private Mortgage Market Investment Act); H.R. 3655 (Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3665 (Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act); H.R. 3733 (Affordable Mortgage for Homeowners Act of 2011); H.R. 3871 (Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012); H.R. 4088 (Capital Expansion Act); H.R. 4235 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to repeal the indemnification requirements for regulatory authorities to obtain access to swap data required to be provided by swaps entities under such Acts.); H.R. 4624 (Investment Advisor Oversight Act of 2012); H. Amdt. 465 (Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the CFTC to promulgate any final rules under the Commodity Exchange Act as added by the Dodd-Frank Act until 12 months after the promulgation of final swap transaction reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act.); S. 23 (Patent Reform Act of 2011); S. 556 (A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1276 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); S. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); S. 1619 (The Currency Exchange Act); S. 1641 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1642 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1643 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1650 (Dodd-Frank Improvement Act of 2011); S. 1787 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); S. 1791 (Democratizing Access to Capital Act of 2011); S. 1824 (Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act); S. 1831 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); S. 1835 (United States Covered Bond Act); S. 1907 (PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2011); S. 1933 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); S. 1941 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1962 (Startup Expansion and Investment Act); S. 1963 (Mortgage Finance Act of 2011); S. 1970 (CROWDFUND Act); S. 1975 (No More IMF Bailouts Act); S. 1997 (FHA Bailout Protection Act of 2011); S. 2033 (Closing the Derivatives Blended Rate Loophole Act); S. 2038 (STOCK Act); S. 2055 (A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.); S. Amdt. 1818 to S. 1813 (offshore tax havens); SR-NASDAQ-2012-005 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Establish an Enhanced Display Distributor Fee); SR-NASDAQ-2012-042 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Re-organize NASDAQ's Rules Governing the Fees Applicable to NASDAQ's Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NASDAQ-2012-044 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Modify the Fees Applicable to Non-Display Usage of Certain NASDAQ Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NYSEArca-2011-96 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Establish Fees for the NYSE Arca Integrated Data Feed); FINRA Rule 4560 (short interest reporting); EU data protection rules; Swap dealer and major swap participant recordkeeping and reporting, duties, and conflicts of interest policies and procedures; Futures Commission Merchant and Introducing Broker Conflicts of Interest Policies and Procedures; Swap dealer, major swap participant, and futures commission merchant chief compliance officer; Recordkeeping under Exchange Act Rule 17a-4(b)(4); Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Implementation (Section 913; Section 914; Systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority; Section 342 (Office of Minority and Women Inclusion); Section 621; Section 941); Systemic Risk Regulation and liquidation authority; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Funding (Regulatory Capital Requirements, systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority); Resolution Authority for Systemically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009; China - strategic and economic dialogue; Market Structure Issues (dark pools, flash quotes, high frequency trading); Transatlantic Economic Council (Trade Issues); Preservation of independent contractor status for financial services sector; Asian Pacific Economic Council Privacy Issues; Bilateral Investment Treaties, India; Eminent domain; Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations; Transpacific Partnership; U.S./EU cross-border regulatory issues; India Market Access Issues, Response to Royal Bank of India discussion; European Union proposal regarding Credit Default Swaps and Credit Rating Agencies and their impact on US Markets; EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Proposal (AIFM); Basel Capital Rules; G-20; Amendments to the 2012 Indian Finance Bill; Regulatory Capital Requirements; Single Platform/Government Sponsored Enterprises; SEC Regulation AB2; Trust Indenture Act; Accounting standards for municipalities; Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) reform and funding fees; Financial Stability Board Outreach; Establishment of the Office of Financial Research; Bankruptcy reform for municipalities; Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC); Support of financial literacy; Privacy and cyber security issues; Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) rulemaking; Municipal advisor regulation; Tax-exemption for municipal bonds.
Client expense: $1,330,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · second_quarter · Banking
H.R.1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners. H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 3606, Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2012. All Provisions. Increases American job creation and economic growth by improving access to the public capital markets for emerging growth companies. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $702,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office
2012 · second_quarter · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code
H.R. 836; derivative legislation; General tax issues
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2012 · second_quarter · Banking
Legislation: Regulatory environment affecting banks, including community banks; Debit Card Interchange Fee legislation (S.575, H.R.1081, H.R.3156); GSE legislation (H.R.1182, H.R.31, H.R.1221, H.R.1222,H.R.1223, H.R.1224, H.R.1225, H.R.1226, H.R.1227, H.R.2436, H.R.2441, H.R.2440, H.R.2462, H.R.463, H.R.2439); Mortgage Foreclosure Relief legislation (H.R.830, H.R.836, H.R.839, H.R.861) ; (Continued on next page) Legislation (cont'd.): Credit Union business lending (S.509, H.R.1418, S.2231); Internet Gambling Regulation (H.R.1174); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Governance (H.R.1121, H.R.1315). Small Business Lending (S.493), Bankruptcy Legislation (S.222), National Flood Insurance Reform (H.R.1309, H.R.5740), Business Activity Tax Simplification Act (H.R. 1439), Executive Compensation (H.R. 1062), Covered Bonds (H.R.940), Patent Reform (H.R.1249), CFPB Appropriations Legislation. Information Security/Privacy (H.R.2577, H.R.3035, S.1151, S.1408, S.1434, S.1535), Deficit Reduction, American Jobs Act, Appropriation Legislation, Patent Office Reform (H.R.1249). Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Fees (H.R. 3765); Flood Insurance Reform & Extension (H.R.2608, HJ Res. 94, HJ Res. 95, H.R.2055, H.R.3671, S.1958); Bank & Corporate Governance (H.R. 1965, S.556, S.1941,H.R.2940, H.R.2930); SEC Registration Threshold (H.R.2167, HR.1070); Sarbanes-Oxley Auditor Requirements (H.R.3213); Restoration of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac/FHA Higher Loan Limits (Amendment to Ag Appropriations bill); Bank Examination Fairness (H.R.3461,S.2160); Bank Failure Study Legislation (H.R.2056); Federal Tax on Larger Financial Institutions; Credit Union Capital (H.R.3993); Amendment on non-resident alien interest reporting; The JOBS Act - H.R.3606; Municipal Advisor Exemption - H.R.2827; CFPB Confidential Information Protection - H.R.4014; ATM Signage (H.R.4367, S.3204); Transportation; Treasury; Student Loan Appropriations (H.R.4348); Heightened Regulatory Capital Requirements, including the Collins amendment (H.R.3128). Regulation: Fed. Reg. B (Equal Credit Opportunity) Rules, Fed and FDIC Orderly Resolution Regulations for Systemically Significant Companies, Fin CEN Bank Secrecy Act reporting requirements, General Obligation Bonds, Thrift institution regulation and reporting transfer to OCC and Fed, FASB Auditor Independence Rules, OCC Guidance on Deposit-Related Consumer Credit Products, Fed, FDIC and OCC Retail Foreign Exchange Rules, Regulation Q, Fed and FTC Credit Score Disclosure Rules, OCC Foreclosure Guidance. FDIC Assessment, Base & Rate Regulation; Registration of Mortgage Loan Originators; Federal Reserve Regulation II - debit card interchange fee regulation; SEC registration of municipal advisor regulation; FDIC Interest on Lawyer Account deposit insurance coverage regulation; FASB Mark to Market Accounting; shareholder executive compensation rules; FASB lease accounting rules; FASB impairment of financial asset rules; mortgage disclosure regulation; regulatory burden relief; federal garnishment rules; Federal Home Loan Bank system membership; Credit Card Act implementation; Regulation Z (Truth-in-Lending) amendments; Payment Settlement Entity Reporting; Interest on Non-Resident Alien Account Reporting; Credit Risk Retention Regulation. FDIC and OCC Overdraft and Bank Product Guidance, Repeal of Reg. Q, FHFA Rules on purchase of housing cooperative loans, IRS Guidance on Trust Commissions, Fed Savings and Loan Holding Company Regulation, Fed Remittance Transfer Proposal, National bank preemption, Risk-based capital requirements, CFPB Regulations. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act Reporting of Assignments in lieu of Mortgage Discharge (Reg C); Restrictions on Bank Proprietary Trading (Volcker Rule); Acquisitions of non-systemically significant financial institutions; Flood Insurance Guidance; Treasury Home Affordable Refinance Program; Examiner Treatment of New York State and Local Government Securities; CFPB Credit Card Disclosures; CFPB Deposit Account Disclosures; CFPB Mortgage Disclosures; Enhanced Regulation of large bank holding companies and non-bank firms. Patent and Trademark Reform Regulatory Implementation; Regulations Implementing the Dodd-Frank Act; Stress Test Regulations; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); Servicing and Foreclosure Guidance and Regulations; Home Loan Bank Member Supervision; CFPB Streamlined Regulations Project; CFPB Regulations on Privileged Information; Qualified Mortgage Safe Harbor; Extension of the TAG Program; Regulations implementing higher capital standards including the market risk capital final rule and 3 proposed rules under Basel III.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of
2012 · first_quarter · Banking
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employee's credit report or credit score prior to making a hiring decision. Support HR 321 Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the account holder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011, Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
Eliminate predatory lending; ensure equal access to financial services to all Americans. Eliminate disparities in credit reporting. Ease home mortgage foreclosure crisis. Eliminate pay day lending. Support capping all interest rates at 36% APR. Support a strong, responsive Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose "vulture funds". Support debt relief for poor nations, a.k.a. the Jubilee Act. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA),. Support efforts to eliminate predatory loans. Oppose exploitative payday loans; Support 36% interest rate cap; . Oppose federal preemption of state consumer financial protection laws. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Express grave concerns about proposed rules for risk-based pricing rule. Strengthening the proposed rule for holding servicers accountable for illegal deeds. Oppose delaying regulations limiting fees charged to merchants by issuers of debit cards. Support a flexible and inclusive definition of "larger participants" by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (participated in a CFPB roundtable discussion on the issue). Express grave concerns about the promulgation of the Dodd-Frank Credit Score disclosure requirement. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs Support a more thorough investigation into the Capital One /ING merger. Support extending the public comment period on the merger as well as five public hearings around the country. Oppose potential employers reviewing a potential employees credit report / credit score prior to making any hiring decision. Support HR 321. Support sensible, non-exploitative mortgage lending. Adopt a qualified mortgage standard that will not shut out prospective minority homeowners. Support Richard Cordray to be Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support strong action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in protecting consumers from abusive checking account policies. Support allowing consumers to transfer banking accounts to a different institution with little or no monetary repercussion. Support HR 3077. Support Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Support significantly strengthening the Office of the Comptroller of the Currencys (OCC) proposed guidance on overdraft programs and deposit advance products in such a way that all customers receive the lowest cost credit for which they qualify, and national banks are encouraged to offer responsible overdraft and credit products. Support the Reed (RI) amendment to S. 1867 which closed a loophole allowing payday lenders to charge members of the military more than 36% for short-term loans. Supported the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take strong steps to stop checking account abuses. Specifically, we asked that the CFPB: Require information on important checking account terms to be disclosed in a one-page Consumer Choice Box; Require complete disclosure of all overdraft options; Require reasonable and proportional overdraft fees; Require the posting of deposits and withdrawals in a neutral manner; and Examine the prevalence of dispute resolution clauses in checking account agreements and the existence of fee shifting provisions that require the accountholder to pay at least a portion of the banks costs when a dispute occurs. Support a two-month extension of the comment period to allow the Federal Reserve Board to hold a formal hearing and public meetings in at least five cities about Capital Ones proposed acquisition of Bank Nevada, N.A. Oppose H.R. 3035, the Mobile Informational Call Act of 2011. Support a study of the regulation of interchange fees but oppose a delay in the implementation of the Durbin amendment to Dodd-Frank. Urge the Consumver Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to define "larger participants" among dect collecters and consumer reporting agencies broadly, yet in a manner that does not allow companies to evade review. Also encouraged the CFPB to examine all of an entities' consumer financial products and services. Support H.R. 2086 / S. 2149, the Medical Debt Responsibility Act, which requirees that credit agencies to remove FULLY paid or settled medical debt from credit reports within 45 days. Support the CFPB adopting a definition of the Qualified Mortgage that covers the vast majority of the marketplace, so that most mortgage borrowers have the benefit of the strongest protections. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.). Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). The CFPB should not weaken the rule that credit card issuers must consider the consumers independent ability to pay and cannot, as a general matter, rely solely on household income. Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Support federal regulators of our nations banks to take immediate action to stop banks from making unaffordable, high-cost payday loans. Support inclusion of consumer narratives be in the CFPB's credit card complaint database. Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices. Support Leon Russell to serve on the CFPB Advisory Panel.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Housing
Continued and strengthened enforcement of Fair Housing Laws; equal access to adequate and affordable housing for all Americans. Support H.R. 284. End homelessness. Support full funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Oppose the elimination of housing counseling funds in H.R. 1437, funding for fiscal year 2011. End the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Ensure adequate housing for low-income veterans. Support increase in funding for the FHIP (Fair Housing Initiatives Program) and FHAP (the Fair Housing Assistance Program) programs. Reform the mortgage servicers industry so that more loans are modified and fewer homes are foreclosed upon. Try to stop abusive credit card practices. Support allowing bankruptcy judges to require loan modifications on primary residence mortgages. Oppose exploitative payday lending. Support efforts to eliminate predatory lending. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). oppose the elimination of funding for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support financial literacy programs. Support a ban on the use of credit reports by potential employers. Support Dr. Elizabeth Warren to be the first Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support a strong Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which begins its activities as soon as possible. Oppose H.R. 1121; oppose H.R. 1315; oppose legislation intended to delay regulatory authority of the CFPB until a Director is confirmed; oppose legislation removing the prudential regulators ability to allow the CFPB to participate in examinations of large financial institutions before the designated transfer date. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Strong support for the National Housing Trust Fund and for federal funding of this program. Oppose H.R. 2441. Support the federal government placing a moratorium on home foreclosures until a thorough review can establish which ones are being made in error. Support National Homeownership Month. Support keeping responsible and affordable mortgage credit flowing to all neighborhoods and to all qualified borrowers, stopping wrongful foreclosures, and support the development of affordable rental homes close to good schools and quality jobs. Increase / restore money for the HUD housing counseling program. Support Senator Sherrod Brown's amendment to HR 2112 to provide $87.5 million for HUD's housing counseling programs. Support funding for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) and the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). Support a strong HUD regulation on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing as well as a regulation from HUD on disparate impact and getting the regulations out and available for comment soon. Contact the Federal Housing Finance Agency (and others) in support of risk retention as defined in the Dodd-Frank bill but opposed to a high downpayment to qualify for a Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM). Contact the FHFA in support of a more robust federal response to the foreclosure crisis, including banning the two track system whereby homeowners facing foreclosure who are trying to modify their loan also find their foreclosure proceeding moving ahead. Outlaw Robosigning and remedy homeowners adversely affected by the practice, in which many servicers did not even read the foreclosure documents they were signing. Principal reductions should be provided in both the federal governments home loan modification programs and each financial institutions private loan modification programs. They should include heightened loss-mitigation standards. Finally, they should also include a forbearance program to help unemployed homeowners. Support a strong HUD regulation on sexual harassment. Support extending the deadline for HUD EHLP program, or at least allowing people with their applications in an extension for getting the remainder of their information & paperwork submitted. Support a strong settlement to the legal actions under discussion, and one that leaves open the path for further needed actions to hold lawbreakers accountable in the matter of the states Attorneys General and the Federal Government versus various financial institutions for breaking the law in terms of mortgages. Support the majority of the HUD Disparate Impact Regulation issued late 2011. Support HUD and the US Department of Justice conducting a thorough investigation of housing discrimination in Alabama as a result of the enactment of HB 56 and move swiftly to enforce the Fair Housing Act when violations are found. Support funding for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) Housing Counseling Program at $60 million in FY 2012. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Oppose any narrowing of the definitions of consumer or credit that are subject to Equal Credit Opportunity Act to match the narrower definitions in the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) or other statutes. (We also oppose narrowing the coverage of TILA or the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.) Oppose expanding exemptions to the data reporting requirements of Regulation C under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA). Support Helping Homeowners Refinance Act of 2012, S. 2072 Oppose the faith-based initiatives included in the "Interim Rule on Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Emergency Solutions Grants Program and Consolidated Plan Conforming Amendments issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Support the burden of proof in housing discrimination cases under HUD's proposed Fair Housing Acts Discriminatory Effect Standard should be assigned to the defendant or respondent to show that there is no less discriminatory alternative. Support that HUD revise the proposed rule to impose the burden on the defendant/respondent in the final step of the disparate impact analysis Support the settlement betwqeen the States' Attorneys Generals and several financial institutions regarding robosigning and foreclosures. Support the settlement between U.S. Department of Justice and Bank of America over Countrywide's discriminatory mortgage lending practices.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Urban Development/Municipalities
Promote Urban Development. Promote the fair and equitable re-building of New Orleans. Support municipalities most hurt by foreclosures. Support an increase in Community Development Block Grants. Support full funding for National Trust Fund. Support reauthorization, modernization and expansion of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). Support S. 922, the Urban Jobs Act. Support for comprehensive jobs legislation to address not only the unemployment crisis facing our nation, but also the challenges being faced by states and local municipalities in meeting the basic education, public safety, health care, child care, and public transportation needs of our communities. Ensure that funding under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is spent in full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Develop a comprehensive surface transportation plan which creates affordable and flexible transportation options for everyone, regardless of income, race, age, disability, or background; creates, protects, and ensures fair access to quality jobs, training, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry; promotes healthy, safe, and inclusive communities with housing opportunities for families of all incomes; and encourages fair and transparent investment of public dollars invested in transportation. Oppose H.R. 839, terminating the HAMP program; oppose H.R. 861, terminating HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program; oppose H.R. 836, terminating HUD's emergency Mortgage Relief program; oppose H.R. 830, terminating the FHA Refinance Program. Support pro-consumer changes to the GSEs (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Oppose a piecemeal approach to reforming Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ("the GSEs"). Support a comprehensive approach to housing finance reform that will further the federal governments housing policy objectives of promoting residential integration, eliminating housing discrimination, and providing safe, decent, and affordable housing for all. Support full funding for the Election Assistance Commission. Oppose H.R. 672. Support the American Jobs Act HR 12 / S 1549. Support smart, equitable transportation investments that create jobs and improve the economic prospects for disadvantaged communities. Support an increase in the federal investment in our hometowns transportation, affordable housing, community development, and job creation efforts by increasing the 302(b) allocation to the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) to the highest possible level in fiscal year (FY) 2013. Support a long term transportation bill which will: 1.Preserve and expand existing programs that fund essential transportation options bicycling, walking, and public transportation. 2.Expand access to quality transportation jobs for the chronically-unemployed, low-income people, individuals with disabilities, women, and communities of color. 3.Strengthen enforcement of existing civil rights provisions. 4.Improve transportation outcomes through strategic planning with measures that promote economic and social equity. 5.Reform transportation funding to lower household expenses and foster community development. Support the inclusion of the Construction Careers Demonstration Program for surface transportation construction projects in the surface transportation reauthorization.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration (SSA), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA), Voice of America, White House Office
2012 · first_quarter · Financial Institutions/Investments/Securities
H.R. 363 (Housing Opportunity and Mortgage Equity Act of 2011); H.R. 344 (Fiscal Responsibility Effective Enforcement Act of 2011); H.R. 463 (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Transparency Act of 2011); H.R. 653 (Financial Information Privacy Act of 2011); H.R. 757 (Equitable Treatment of Investors Act); H.R. 836 (Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act); H.R. 1062 (Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act); H.R. 1070 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1082 (Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act); H.R. 1112 (National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2011); H.R. 1151 (Emergency Mortgage Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs Cost Recoupment Act of 2011); H.R. 1341 (A bill to provide a point of order against consideration of any measure that would increase the statutory limit on the public debt above $14.294 trillion unless that measure has been publicly available for a full 7 calendar days before consideration on the floor of the Senate); H.R. 1438 (Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011); H.R. 1532 (A bill to amend the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require the joint select committee of Congress to report findings and propose legislation to restore the Nation's workforce to full employment over the period of fiscal years 2012 and 2013); H.R. 1535 (Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 1539 (Asset-Backed Market Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); H.R. 1550 (National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011); H.R. 1573 (To facilitate implementation of title VII of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, promote regulatory coordination, and avoid market disruption); H.R. 1610 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act of 2011); H.R. 1838 (To repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act prohibiting any Federal bailout of swap dealers or participants); H.R. 1840 (To improve consideration by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission of the costs and benefits of its regulations and orders); H.R. 1965 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes.); H.R. 2167 (Private Company Flexibility Act); H.R. 2308 (SEC Regulatory Accountability Act); H.R. 2313 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); H.R. 2413 (Secondary Market Facility for Residential Mortgages Act of 2011); H.R. 2483 (Whistleblower Improvement Act); H.R. 2517 (Shareholder Protection Act of 2011); H.R. 2586 (Swap Execution Facility Clarification Act); H.R. 2603 (Maintaining Agency Direction on Financial Fraud Act); H.R. 2612 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to repeal the authority of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to prohibit certain acts or practices); H.R. 2651 (To require that the United States Government prioritize all obligations on the debt held by the public, Social Security benefits, and military pay in the event that the debt limit is reached, and for other purposes); H.R. 2682 (Business Risk Mitigation and Price Stabilization Act); H.R. 2779 (To exempt inter-affiliate swaps from certain regulatory requirements put in place by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act); H.R. 2827 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisors, and for other purposes); H.R. 2855 (Emergency Jobs Now Act); H.R. 2930 (Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act); H.R. 2931 (Full Faith and Credit Act); H.R. 2940 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); H.R. 2964 (Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act); H.R. 3010 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011); H.R. 3078 (United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3079 (United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3080 (United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act); H.R. 3084 (Mortgage Credit Availability Act of 2011); H.R. 3128 (To amend the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act to adjust the date on which consolidated assets are determined for purposes of exempting certain instruments of exempting smaller institutions from capital deductions); H.R. 3213 (Small Company Job Growth and Regulatory Relief Act of 2011); H.R. 3283 (Swap Jurisdiction Certainty Act); H.R. 3313 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); H.R. 3318 (Growing Jobs Through Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3336 (Small Business Credit Availability Act); H.R. 3527 (Protecting Main Street End-Users From Excessive Regulation); H.R. 3530 (Freddie Mac Debt Reduction Act of 2011); H.R. 3606 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); H.R. 3635 (Investing in America's Small Businesses Act of 2011); H.R. 3644 (Private Mortgage Market Investment Act); H.R. 3655 (Small Business Access to Capital Act of 2011); H.R. 3665 (Wall Street Accountability through Sustainable Funding Act); H.R. 3733 (Affordable Mortgage for Homeowners Act of 2011); H.R. 3871 (Proprietary Information Protection Act of 2012); H.R. 4088 (Capital Expansion Act); H.R. 4235 (To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodity Exchange Act to repeal the indemnification requirements for regulatory authorities to obtain access to swap data required to be provided by swaps entities under such Acts.); H. Amdt. 465 (Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the CFTC to promulgate any final rules under the Commodity Exchange Act as added by the Dodd-Frank Act until 12 months after the promulgation of final swap transaction reporting rules under the Commodity Exchange Act.); S. 23 (Patent Reform Act of 2011); S. 556 (A bill to amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1276 (To repeal the authority to provide certain loans to the International Monetary Fund, the increase in the United States quota to the Fund, and certain other related authorities, to rescind related appropriated amounts, and for other purposes); S. 1544 (Small Company Capital Formation Act of 2011); S. 1619 (The Currency Exchange Act); S. 1641 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1642 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Korea Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1643 (A Bill to Implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement); S. 1650 (Dodd-Frank Improvement Act of 2011); S. 1787 (Wall Street Trading and Speculators Tax Act); S. 1791 (Democratizing Access to Capital Act of 2011); S. 1824 (Private Company Flexibility and Growth Act); S. 1831 (Access to Capital for Job Creators Act); S. 1835 (United States Covered Bond Act); S. 1907 (PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2011); S. 1933 (Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2011); S. 1941 (To amend the securities laws to establish certain thresholds for shareholder registration, and for other purposes); S. 1962 (Startup Expansion and Investment Act); S. 1963 (Mortgage Finance Act of 2011); S. 1970 (CROWDFUND Act); S. 1975 (No More IMF Bailouts Act); S. 1997 (FHA Bailout Protection Act of 2011); S. 2033 (Closing the Derivatives Blended Rate Loophole Act); S. 2038 (STOCK Act); S. 2055 (A bill to amend the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to the protection of certain information.); SR-NASDAQ-2012-005 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Establish an Enhanced Display Distributor Fee); SR-NASDAQ-2012-042 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Re-organize NASDAQ's Rules Governing the Fees Applicable to NASDAQ's Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NASDAQ-2012-044 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change to Modify the Fees Applicable to Non-Display Usage of Certain NASDAQ Depth-of-Book Market Data); SR-NYSEArca-2011-96 (Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change To Establish Fees for the NYSE Arca Integrated Data Feed); FINRA Rule 4560 (short interest reporting); Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Implementation (Section 913; Section 914; Systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority; Section 342 (Office of Minority and Women Inclusion); Systemic Risk Regulation and liquidation authority; Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Funding (Regulatory Capital Requirements, systemic risk regulation and liquidation authority); Resolution Authority for Systemically Significant Financial Companies Act of 2009; China - strategic and economic dialogue; Market Structure Issues (dark pools, flash quotes, high frequency trading); Transatlantic Economic Council (Trade Issues); Preservation of independent contractor status for financial services sector; Asian Pacific Economic Council Privacy Issues; Bilateral Investment Treaties, India; Transpacific Partnership; U.S./EU cross-border regulatory issues; India Market Access Issues, Response to Royal Bank of India discussion; European Union proposal regarding Credit Default Swaps and Credit Rating Agencies and their impact on US Markets; EU Alternative Investment Fund Managers Proposal (AIFM); Basel Capital Rules; G-20; Amendments to the 2012 Indian Finance Bill; Regulatory Capital Requirements; Accounting standards for municipalities; Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) reform and funding fees; Financial Stability Board Outreach; Establishment of the Office of Financial Research; Bankruptcy reform for municipalities; Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC); Support of financial literacy; Privacy and cyber security issues; Self-Regulatory Organizations (SRO) rulemaking; Municipal advisor regulation; Tax-exemption for municipal bonds.
Client expense: $1,270,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Economic Council (NEC), Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2012 · first_quarter · Banking
H.R.1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions.Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. S. 222, Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act of 2010. All Provisions. Limits investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures, and other purposes. H.R.836, Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. All Provisions. Rescinds the unobligated funding for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program and terminates the program. H.R. 839, HAMP Termination Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to terminate the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to provide new assistance under the Home Affordable Modification Program, while preserving assistance to homeowners who were already extended an offer to participate in the Program, either on a trial or permanent basis. H.R. 1225, GSE Debt Issuance Approval Act of 2011. All Provisions. Prohibits Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from issuing any new debt without approval in advance by the Secretary of the Treasury. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, prevents foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes S. 967, Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 1977, FHA Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Improves the financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program. H.R.1754, Preserving Equal Access to Mortgage Finance Programs Acts. All Provisions. Permanently increase the conforming loan limits for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and the Federal National Mortgage Association and the FHA maximum mortgage amount limitations. H.R. 1223, GSE Credit Risk Equitable Treatment Act of 2011. All Provisions. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure mortgages held or securitized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and asset-backed securities issued by such enterprises are treated similarly as other mortgages and asset-backed securities for purposes of the credit risk retention requirements under such Act. H.R. 2126, Risk and Retention Modernization Act of 2011. All Provisions. Modernizes the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 and expands coverage to include commercial property insurance, and for other purposes. S. 170, The Helping Responsible Homeowners Act. All Provisions. Provides for the affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. H.R. 1309, Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011. All Provisions. Extends the authorization of the national flood insurance program, achieve reforms to improve the financial integrity and stability of the program, and increase the role of private markets in the management of flood insurance risk, and for other purposes. S. 1284, All Provisions. Amends the National Floor Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider reconstruction and improvement of flood protection systems when establishing flood insurance rates. S. 967, Merkley Regulation of Mortgages Servicing Act of 2011. All Provisions. Establishes clear regulatory standards for mortgage servicers, and for other purposes. H.R. 1783, Foreclosure Fraud and Homeowner Abuse Prevention Act of 2011. All Provisions. Provides for enhanced mortgage-backed and asset-backed security investor protections, to prevent foreclosure fraud, and for other purposes. S.489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications, establishes a grant program for State and local government mediation programs, and for other purposes. H.R. 1498, Prompt Decision for Qualification of Short Sale Act of 2011. All Provisions. Requires the lender of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. H.R. 3849, Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act. All Provisions. Amends S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to provide an exception from the definition of loan originator for certain loans made with respect to manufactured homes, amends the Truth in Lending Act to modify the definition of a high-cost mortgage, and for other purposes. S.2072, Helping Homeowners Refinance Act. All Provisions. Discourages disincentives to the housing missions of government sponsored enterprises and requires consistent putback risks at the enterprises to assist homeowners. H.R. 4264, FHA Emergency Fiscal Solvency Act of 2012. All Provisions. Helps ensure the fiscal solvency of the FHA mortgage insurance programs of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes. S. 2120, Prompt Notifications of Short Sales Act. All Provisions. Requires the lender or servicer of a home mortgage upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale. S. 2099, All Provisions. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act with respect to information provided to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. H.R. 3606, Reopening American Capital Markets to Emerging Growth Companies Act of 2012. All Provisions. Increases American job creation and economic growth by improving access to the public capital markets for emerging growth companies. H.R. 4323, Consumer Mortgage Choice Act (Qualified Mortgage Bill). All Provisions. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to improve upon the definitions provided for points and fees in connection with a mortgage transaction. S. 1813, Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Act of 2012. All Provisions. Reauthorizes Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
Client expense: $684,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, White House Office