This was a vote on an amendment by Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) that would have required the Treasury Department to carry out a study identifying which aspects of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) were successful. HAMP was a federal initiative that helped homeowners facing foreclosure to modify their home mortgage loans. This amendment was offered to legislation eliminating HAMP.

Jackson-Lee urged support for her amendment: “As we come to the floor of the House, I know that members on both sides of the aisle are committed to knowing the facts. We want to know the facts when we go to town hall meetings when our constituents pose very deliberative questions…. And one of the deliberative aspects of legislation is that you fix it; you don't end it. So I rise today to ask my colleagues to support my amendment, an amendment that I think makes common sense. It is an amendment that thoughtful Members can support. It is an amendment that [says], whether you are Republican or Democrat, you want to know what works.”

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) opposed the amendment: “This directs the Treasury to conduct a study of HAMP and would be completely counterproductive. The reason why it would be completely counterproductive is over the last 6 months we have seen the Treasury Department engage in a frantic 6-month media campaign for this program. They won't admit it is a failure; although, the rest of the world is largely saying it is a failure. They [the Obama administration] even have offered a veto threat on this legislation.”

The House rejected this amendment by a vote of 182-239. Voting “yea” were 178 Democrats and 4 Republicans. 233 Republicans and 6 Democrats voted “nay.” As a result, the House rejected an amendment that would have required the Treasury Department to carry out a study identifying which aspects of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) were successful.