Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 12, 2017

Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

This bill provides for the repayment of amounts previously borrowed by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) from the Department of the Treasury. GSEs are financial services corporations created by Congress and include the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

Under an existing Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, net income from the GSEs is directed to Treasury as a dividend but is not counted toward repayment of the GSEs' debt. The bill requires this agreement to be modified such that: (1) the amounts previously borrowed by the GSEs from Treasury shall be treated as a loan, in accordance with specified terms; and (2) payments made under the agreement by the GSEs to Treasury, including payments made prior to the agreement's modification, shall be treated as payments of principal and interest under such loan.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Capuano, Michael E. [D-MA-7] · D–MA

Committees

Financial Services Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jan 12, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jan 12, 2017
Introduced in House
Jan 12, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 12, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1036 · Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2015

Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Discuss H.R.491, 115th Congress: Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr491/BILLS-115hr491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

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Analyze H.R.491 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.491, 115th Congress: Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr491/BILLS-115hr491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.491 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.491, 115th Congress: Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr491/BILLS-115hr491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.491 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.491, 115th Congress: Let the GSEs Pay Us Back Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/491

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-01-12.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr491/BILLS-115hr491ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-11T16:31:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.491 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.