WASHINGTON — After a tense and at times testy meeting on Wednesday between Congressional Republicans and the Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., over his plan for a possible government rescue of the nation’s two largest mortgage finance companies, the House Republican leader said he expected the plan to be approved soon.
“I don’t think there’s any question that this will in fact become law and become law soon,” the Republican leader, John A. Boehner of Ohio, said, standing with Mr. Paulson after the meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. “Members clearly have concerns but I do think at the end of the day this proposal is likely to become law.”
But even as Mr. Paulson said that he, too, was confident of swift passage of the plan, with a larger package of housing legislation, Democratic leaders said the House would not be able to vote on it until next Wednesday. Officials, including President Bush, had expressed hope that Congress would act this week.