The Senate Banking Committee approved legislation Tuesday that would empower the Federal Housing Administration to provide relief to mortgage borrowers teetering on the brink of default. The House has already passed similar legislation. Only two months ago, mortgage aid was viewed as unlikely, but the odds now favor it becoming law. For this change of fortune, the legislation's chief sponsors, Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, should thank one person in particular: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Monday they had reached a deal on legislation to create a multibillion-dollar mortgage rescue fund and a new regulator for housing finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Thursday they have agreed to the underpinnings of a housing rescue plan that will create a federal backstop for failing loans.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Thursday they have agreed to the underpinnings of a housing rescue plan that will create a federal backstop for failing loans.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of the U.S. Senate Banking Committee said on Thursday they have agreed to the underpinnings of a housing rescue plan that will create a federal backstop for failing loans.

-- Some quotes from Thursday's Senate Banking Committee hearings on the federal government's facilitating the sale of Bear Stearns to JP Morgan Chase.

-- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's prepared remarks Thursday to the Senate Banking Committee:

-- Text of Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Christopher Cox's opening remarks to the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, as provided by the SEC:

-- Text of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's opening remarks before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, as provided by the Treasury Department:

-- Text of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke's remarks before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, as provided by the Fed: