For homeowners in danger of defaulting on their mortgage due to the subprime mortgage crisis, Obama launched several programs, including HARP and HAMP. Obama re-appointed Ben Bernanke as Chair of the Federal Reserve Board in 2009, and appointed Janet Yellen to succeed Bernanke in 2013. Short-term interest rates remained near zero for much of Obama's presidency, and the Federal Reserve did not raise interest rates during Obama's presidency until December 2015. The proposal never received a vote in Congress, but it served as a template for future plans to reduce the national debt. Obama's $800 billion stimulus package included $100 billion for public schools, which every state used to protect its educational budget. Obama's $800 billion stimulus package included $100 billion for public schools, which every state used to protect its educational budget.