In the latest proposal for reforming the GSEs, the American Enterprise Institute this week recommended winding down Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by way of “administrative action” to make room for the private market. The conservative think tank said a government guarantee for mortgage-backed securities is not necessary for an effective housing-finance system. Noting that the term of Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Mel Watt expires in January 2019, AEI said many of its recommendations could be implemented by whomever President Trump taps to take over the agency. “This is important since Congress has been unable to develop or agree on a workable housing-finance system since the financial crisis nine and a half years ago,” said AEI.