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.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to extend until 2013 a federal program that insures millions of homes against floods and to forgive $17 billion in debt the program built up during Hurricane Katrina.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved legislation aimed at stabilizing the student loan market and heading off what lenders warn could be a shortage of loans in coming months as millions of college students lock in their finances before heading to school.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve a $15 billion bill tackling the nation's housing market crisis with tax breaks for corporations and some assistance for distressed homeowners.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve a $15 billion bill tackling the nation's housing market crisis with tax breaks for corporations and some assistance for distressed homeowners.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate leaders on Wednesday crafted a compromise bill to offer billions of dollars in refinancing and other help to homeowners and communities hit by the crisis in the housing markets.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate edged closer to consensus on Wednesday on a bipartisan bill to help homeowners hit by the mortgage crisis, with agreement seen on a tax break for home builders and other measures.

SALEM — A bill to make modest reforms to the subprime mortgage lending industry squeaked through the Oregon House Thursday, a big win for House Speaker Jeff Merkley who has made it clear that he intends to highlight the issue in his campaign for the U.S. Senate.