URGENT: Political Action Alert
We’re sending you this alert because your Senator is on the Senate Banking Committee, and we just received confirmation that they
will consider a key amendment to the federal housing reform legislation which specifically stops the HVCC. (Click here to read about
the HVCC.)
We need your help in getting the word to your Senator to support the amendment, sponsored by Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC).
The amendment will be up for consideration as early as Monday morning. It is URGENT that you call your Senator from the list below either over the weekend or early Monday morning.
We have a chance to collectively stop the current HVCC and be involved in the crafting of an alternative which eliminates coercion and strengthens the role appraisers have in protecting consumers, but without the negative aspects of the HVCC’s language which benefits AMCs, AVMs, and BPO providers.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Do not assume that someone else will call for you, or that your contribution won’t matter anyway, or that we cannot stop the HVCC. They won’t, it will, and we can.
Thanks in advance for your attention to this urgent political action matter.
Sincerely,
The a la mode Political Action Team
HOW TO GARNER SUPPORT FOR SENATOR DOLE’S AMENDMENT
Please stay as close to the following as you possibly can. Consistency, brevity, and process are the key to garnering support to stop the HVCC. Ranting and anger will not win any points in the battle. Remember, none of these Senators wrote the HVCC, and their party affiliation doesn’t matter. We need their help stopping the HVCC so it can be fixed. Set everything else aside and focus on this one issue.
| I. | Ask the receptionist if you may speak with the staff person who handles housing and financial services issues. If you can’t get through, leave a message as below even if at the main switchboard number or with the receptionist. |
| II. | Introduce yourself (your profession, the name of your company/firm, and where your business is located in the state) |
| III. | Make the following points and no more, naturally in your own words but as concisely and cleanly as suggested here: |
| • | I am calling regarding the Senate Banking Committee markup of the federal housing reform bill. | ||
| • | As you know, NY Attorney General Cuomo, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and OFHEO have agreed to a Home Valuation Code of Conduct in order to ensure independent and reliable appraisals. But as written, the HVCC does not meet this goal and actually will have the opposite effect. Consumers no longer will have access to accurate appraisals from independent appraisers. The effect will be felt not only in New York but across the country. Independent appraisers – the only people who are in a position to objectively protect the consumer’s interests – will be driven out of business. | ||
| • | Senator Dole is planning to offer an amendment that will require OFHEO to follow due process and comply with existing law before implementing the HVCC. This will allow the HVCC to be fixed to protect the independence of appraisals and the interests of consumers prior to implementation. | ||
| • | I urge the Senator to support the Dole amendment to the housing bill. | ||
| • | Thank you very much for your time. I know you are extremely busy, and I appreciate your assistance. I hope I can count on the Senator’s support. |
CALL ONLY YOUR OWN SENATOR FROM THE LIST BELOW
| Democrats | |
| Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT), Chairman | (202) 224-2823 |
| Tim Johnson (D-SD) | (202) 224-5842 |
| Jack Reed (D-RI) | (202) 224-4642 |
| Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) | (202) 224-6542 |
| Evan Bayh (D-IN) | (202) 224-5623 |
| Tom Carper (D-DE) | (202) 224-2441 |
| Robert Menendez (D-NJ) | (202) 224-4744 |
| Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) | (202) 224-6361 |
| Sherrod Brown (D-OH) | (202) 224-2315 |
| Robert P. Casey (D-PA) | (202) 224-6324 |
| Jon Tester (D-MT) | (202) 224-2644 |
| Republicans | |
| Richard C. Shelby (R-AL), Ranking Member | (202) 224-5744 |
| Robert F. Bennett (R-UT) | (202) 224-5444 |
| Wayne Allard (R-CO) | (202) 224-5941 |
| Michael B. Enzi (R-WY) | (202) 224-3424 |
| Chuck Hagel (R-NE) | (202) 224-4224 |
| Jim Bunning (R-KY) | (202) 224-4343 |
| Mike Crapo (R-ID) | (202) 224-6142 |
| * Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) | Do not call |
| Mel Martinez (R-FL) | (202) 224-3041 |
| Bob Corker (R-TN) | (202) 224-3344 |
* Senator Dole is the amendment sponsor. Do not call her as she is already “on board”.
