Jeff Merkley actually said...

"I look at the fact that we subsidize homeownership through the home mortgage interest deduction, about $100 billion a year, roughly."

"Thank you, Mr. Chair."

"What if we had a $2,500 tax credit per person, $5,000 per person, had to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the homeowner, to help people become homeowners right now, when the prices are low?"

"Why not spend a little money in a matching grant program, not simply on a temporary basis..."