Calls for Congressional Hearings on Lending Scandal Met with Silence on Capitol Hill

Housing Hullabaloo

(Fox News) - We have a follow-up on Monday's report that Texas Republican Congressman Jeb Hensarling has called for Congressional hearings in the wake of reports that at least two Democratic Senators received discount mortgage deals from Countrywide Financial Corporation.

Banking committee chairman Chris Dodd — whose panel oversees the mortgage industry — and North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad reportedly received preferential treatment from Countrywide.

But, The Politico newspaper reports Hensarling's call for an investigation has been greeted with silence on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers apparently are reluctant to push forward with a probe because they do not know where it may lead.

One Senate GOP aide says, "You don't see many people jumping on this, because you don't know if anyone else is dirty."

Today, Dodd denied any wrongdoing, saying that the rates he received were in the range of rates being offered at the time. He says he spoke with no "higher ups" at Countrywide, adding there was no red flag that he was getting any special treatment.