Senate close to approving housing rescue bill

Homeowners struggling to make their house payments could get government mortgage relief under a rescue plan that seeks to revive the chaotic housing market and help reverse the economic downturn.

The Senate is expected Saturday to clear the wide-ranging legislation _ considered the most significant housing measure in decades _ for President Bush's signature, and the White House says he'll sign it quickly.

The bill gives the government power to throw troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac a financial lifeline, in efforts to prevent the two pillars of the home loan market from going under and causing broader market turmoil.