News

USDA Guaranteed Rural Development funding

Jul 7, 2010
Posted In: General

Now we need Congress to finish the work on USDA Guaranteed Rural Development funding. It passed both the House and Senate in May, but is waiting for the conference committee to “hammer” out the minor differences between the two bills. Rumor has it they may not take it up until the end of July. Not having this funding is costing us around 200 sales per month in Maine alone. Although some are new construction, the vast majority are short sales and foreclosures, which helps reduce the existing housing inventory and gets the housing recovery moving forward stronger. Don’t be “afraid” to contact your members of Congress to express your valuable opinion. It seems that Congress only gets things done when we all put pressure on them!!!

Who to contact?
Senator Olympia Snowe: (800) 432-1599
Senator Susan Collins: (207) 622-8414
Representative Mike Michaud: (207) 942-6935
Representative Chellie Pingree: (888) 862-6500

Not sure what to say? Feel free to use this script.

"Good Morning. My name is __________ and I work for (or, I am the owner of) ___________ in __________ , Maine. I am calling to voice my concern regarding the stalled USDA Guaranteed Rural Development funding. As I understand the situation, both the Senate and the House have approved the funding, but the bill is currently stalled as the conference committee waits to iron-out the remaining details. We've been told that the conference committee may not tackle the bill until the end of July. The missing RD funding is causing 200 home sales every month not to close in Maine alone. The housing industry absolutely needs this funding in place to help clear the existing housing inventory and provide some critical momentum to a very fragile housing recovery. Can I ask for your help in making the RD funding a priority for Congress to pass ASAP?"

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