Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) has urged President Barack Obama to pledge a new round of foreclosure relief during his State of the Union address next week.

In a letter to the president, Merkley called the administrations anti-foreclosure programs inadequate. He urged President Obama to pledge a more thorough program to keep families in their homes.

"A record one million families lost their home to foreclosure last year," Merkley wrote. "Next week, Mr. President, you will have the attention of the nation. I urge you to use this opportunity to renew efforts to tackle the national foreclosure crisis."

The FDIC has been pusing to impose new requirements on the operations of mortgage servicers. The agency has been in negotiation with the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. After initially opposing the plan, the Fed has agreed to support the new regulations, but the OCC has resisted the rules.

Merkley criticized the administration's Home Affordable Modification Program, saying "the goal of the [HAMP] was to prevent three to four million foreclosures, but to date, fewer than 600,000 homeowners have been approved."

If you are in danger of losing your home due to foreclosure, please contact the Maryland foreclosure defense lawyers of Chaifetz & Coyle, P.C., by calling 443-546-4608.