This is something that I probably should have an opinion on, but don’t. The bankruptcy cramdown legislation would have given bankruptcy judges the ability to alter loan terms, specifically mortgages. From Bloomberg’s Senate Defeats Mortgage ‘Cram-Down’ as Democrats Balk (the headline is of questionable accuracy):

The U.S. Senate rejected a measure that would let bankruptcy judges cut mortgage terms to help borrowers avoid foreclosure, a victory for banks and credit unions that said the legislation would increase loan costs.

The proposed “cram-down” amendment to a housing bill was defeated today in a 51-45 vote, with 12 Democrats among the 51 opponents. The measure needed 60 votes to pass over Republican objections. The House passed its version 234-191 on March 5.

“These bankers who brought us into this crisis are literally shunning and stiff-arming the people who are facing foreclosure,” said Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, sponsor of the legislation and the chamber’s second-ranking Democrat.

The defeat is a setback for President Barack Obama’s administration, which included cram-down in the anti-foreclosure plan aiming to help 9 million homeowners. The mortgage industry has twice succeeded in helping to kill the proposal since Durbin first introduced it in 2007. The senator said today “this is not the last time” he will raise the issue.

Yves at Naked Capitalism loses his cool over the issue in Bankruptcy Cramdown Defeated: Banksters Again Prevail Over Real Economy. Yeah, he’s clearly upset.

Tyler Durden at Zero Hedge takes the opposite position in More Wall Street Bashing After Cramdown Amendment Defeated.