The Obama administration’s attempt to give bankruptcy judges the power to lower mortgage payments was rejected by the Senate last week. The House passed its version of the controversial “cram-down provision” in March, so now it will be discussed in joint session where it is expected to fail.

The Senate also voted to expand eligibility requirements for the Hope for Homeowners program, which encourages lenders to convert adjustable mortgage interest rates to 30-year fixed rates backed by the FHA if the homeowner agrees to pay an insurance premium.

Although Congress planned to aid 400,000 troubled homeowners when Hope For Homeowners was established last year, due to its strict eligibility requirements only one borrower has completed the refinancing process and only 51 more are in the process, according to statistics published last week.