While Speaker Nancy Pelosi celebrated the House's approval yesterday of the housing bill, Minority Leader John Boehner said the bill would punish those who play by the rules.

"The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act will prevent tragic home foreclosures, strengthen the housing market and our economy, and protect the American Dream of homeownership for America's families," Pelosi said following the 234-191 roll call vote. "Americans all agree that homeowners bear personal responsibility for their actions and their debts, but lenders must also act in good faith, lend responsibly, and work with homeowners who are at-risk of foreclosure because that is in the interests of lenders, borrowers, neighborhoods, and our nation's economy."

Boehner, however, stated that while "Republicans believe that we need to help families who acted responsibly stay in their homes," this housing bill "doesn't do that."

"This legislation forces taxpayers to reward irresponsible behavior - including lying about income on a mortgage application - and will prolong the housing crisis," Boehner said. "By letting bankruptcy judges rewrite a mortgage through the controversial 'cramdown' process, it gives a pass to the small percentage of borrowers who made bad decisions and adds more uncertainty to a market that desperately needs some stability."

Meanwhile, the NRCC sent out press releases in 41 Democratic districts last night, targeting those that voted for the bill. "[This congressman] voted today against protecting millions of Americans who played by the rules, including thousands of his constituents," the NRCC stated in the press release. "The motion that he voted against would have prohibited those who lied on mortgage applications from receiving taxpayer assistance."