Do you think that that might be important to whether a homeowner feels like it truly is an independent process?

Are you planning to send a second letter to homeowners to... clarify the way that the independent--so-called independent process has been structured?

I think it would send a clear message of independence.

I think there is both a substantive concern about conflicts of interest. There is also a perception issue related to these questions.

So do you feel like there is some standard that eliminates the conflict of interest between these companies?

So if a family is put out of their home illegally, maybe their rent that they are paying is no more than their mortgage payment was, is that a basis you would say they suffered no financial harm?

if the law requires a party that initiates a foreclosure to have ownership of the mortgage and that that was not followed, that is a pretty significant legal breach.

I think to even call it independent is, in that situation, a complete betrayal of your trust with the homeowner.

Well, please, that is so insincere, that the banks would say, yes, the homeowners get to pick the independent reviewer.

Why did you all want to keep the independent reviewers secret?

the failure to stop the foreclosure process while saying that there may be a remedy means that potentially you are saying, yes, we may find after 3 months that you have been unfairly--had your home taken away, but too bad.

I rise today to address a promising new idea for investors and small businesses: crowdfunding. In recent years, small businesses and startup companies have struggled to raise capital. The traditional methods of raising capital have become…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 345, submitted earlier today. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: A…

the cloture vote on the Cordray nomination will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Additionally, cloture was filed on the motion to proceed to S. 1944, the Middle Class Tax Cut Act of 2011. Unless an agreement is reached, that vote will be…

But we may lose this vote here in a few moments, because folks on behalf of those who want to make money through predatory practices are defeating those who are fighting for fairness for American families.

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:03 p.m., adjourned until Thursday, December 8, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. 

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 8, 2011; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be…

the reason those predatory practices were not ended is they were at the Federal Reserve

tomorrow we will be voting on whether to close debate on the nomination of Richard Cordray as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This vote can be framed in terms of his qualifications, but that would be a mistake because…

Certainly that was the discussion that was taking place among those of us who were immersed in trying to get rid of the liar loans, was that you would have a safe harbor.

I believe that earlier in the year you called for a surcharge, which we might call an anti-bailout equity buffer, of as much as 7 percent.

the next rollcall vote will be Monday at 5:30 p.m. on confirmation of one of the judicial nominations. We expect the remaining three judges to be confirmed by consent. As a reminder, cloture was filed on the nomination of Caitlin Joan…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 2 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2011; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be…

I ask unanimous consent that on Monday, December 5, 2011, at 4:30 p.m., the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar items Nos. 363, 364, 365, and 406, under the previous order. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the bill be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING…