Number: RS21896
Title: The Department of the Treasury's Authority to Regulate GSE Debt: A Legal Analysis
Authors: Michael V. Seitzinger, American Law Division 
Abstract: The Department of the Treasury is developing a more formalized approach for approving Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's debt issuances. Although the Department of the Treasury has traditionally used its approval authority merely to coordinate the timing of debt issuances, the department may seek to regulate the amount of debt that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may issue. This report analyzes the Department of the Treasury's legal authority over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and concludes that a court would likely hold that the department possesses the power to regulate the amount of debt issued by these two organizations.
Pages: 6
Date: March 3, 2008