New Plan to Help Struggling Homeowners
CHETRY: Well, scattered nationwide trucker strike caused some big problems in parts of the country. Check out this video. There you see a lot of independent truckers who parked their rigs for the day, willing to lose the money for one day to make a point about the high price of diesel fuel and the fact that they don't think they're getting any help when it comes to paying for how much more it's costing them to do their job. A lot of them saying it's very difficult for them to make a living. Some of them saying that the fuel surcharge that many of us pay for items that are shipped should be going to the truckers. Right now, it is not. Meanwhile, sales are down for all major automakers. GM, Ford, Chrysler and Toyota all saw sales fall by double digits last month compared to a year ago. Sales of big SUVs and pickup trucks falling as high prices force Americans to turn -- maybe not force but they're choosing smaller cars. Hybrids and even Crossovers. Crossovers look like SUVs but actually built on car chassis instead of trucks.</s>ROBERTS: Well, relief could be on the way for home owners who are struggling to pay their mortgages. Senate leaders are promising to come up with a bill by noon today that could offer millions for homeowners' counseling and help cities by foreclosed properties. The bill is getting bipartisan support.</s>SEN. CHRISTOPHER DODD (D) CONNECTICUT: And most importantly send a message to the American people that we're on top of this issue and we're making a difference in their lives and want to turn this issue around. Inaction is not an option. Failure is not an option.</s>ROBERTS: A lot of passion there on the Hill about all of this. But does it going to mean anything to homeowners. Our Gerri Willis joins us now. What is the plan all about? Will it work?</s>GERRI WILLIS, CNN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Fascinating plan. And these folks have to act quickly. As you know, Democrats and Republicans coming together. Let's talk about what could be in the bill. We don't know for sure right now. First of all, 200 million to expand foreclosure counseling. That will be a very big deal on this bill. $10 billion in tax exempt bonds to allow local housing authorities to refinance loans. $4 billion to local governments to buy properties. And here's an interesting one, $15,000 tax credit to folks who buy foreclosed homes. The Senate and the House, meanwhile, have been talking about allowing the FHA to buy $300 billion to $400 billion worth of these insured mortgages. $300 to $400 billion worth of mortgages. They would stand behind these mortgages so that if folks fall, that the government would be on the hook for that money. And it's also very interesting. And as I was mentioning, John, these folks have to act quickly. We have 1.5 million American homeowners out there who are facing resets this year on their adjustable rate mortgages and could go into foreclosures.</s>ROBERTS: That tax credit for people buying a foreclosed home is pretty interesting because you would save money on the foreclosed home.</s>WILLIS: That's right.</s>ROBERTS: This price would be lower and then you get a $15,000 tax credit, as well.</s>WILLIS: And that's a dollar for dollar. That's not a deduction. That's a dollar for dollar.</s>ROBERTS: That's great. What's the likelihood that they're going to get on this before the 4th of July?</s>WILLIS: I think there is huge pressure right now for the Senate to do something. As you know, it's not just the right thing to do, it's not just what Americans are asking for, it is all about -- also about politics here. And I think there's incredible pressure from constituents to take some kind of action.</s>ROBERTS: There is a lot of people who are going to be looking ahead to re-election this year and they want to be on the record with doing so.</s>WILLIS: That's right. You're right about that.</s>ROBERTS: All right. Gerri Willis for us. Thanks, Gerri.</s>WILLIS: Thank you.</s>CHETRY: And still ahead, you're watching the most news in the morning. The scary moment at Orlando International Airport. A passenger charged with carrying an explosive on to an aircraft. How he was nabbed. We have a live report ahead.