The measure, which is expected to generate intense opposition from the financial services industry, addresses some of the problems tied to the transformation of the mortgage lending industry from an often local business into a trillion-dollar global market for investors in search of higher returns.

The bill is part of a broader measure intended to restrict what lawmakers and consumer advocates consider deceptive and improper lending practices, many of which were common among the millions of soured subprime mortgages to people with low incomes or poor credit histories.

Critics warn that the bill could chill and perhaps freeze a huge source of capital that has helped push homeownership in the United States to its highest level.

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Service Committee, would require any mortgage lender to verify that the borrower has a ''reasonable ability to repay'' based on documented income, credit history and debt level.

The congressman said that he expected his committee to debate and approve the measure next week.

This would be the closest that Congress has ever come to legislating on the suitability of mortgages and blocking loans it deems too risky.