REFILE-U.S. housing bill increases federal ties-Freddie Mac

(Refiles to add dropped word in the third paragrah to read "...not yet been passed by the Senate..."

WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) - Proposed U.S. housing legislation that calls for Fannie Mae FNM.N and Freddie Mac FRE.N to backstop a federal home loan program increases ties between the companies and the government, the chief executive of Freddie Mac said on Friday.

The legislation "to some extent increases the degree of integration with the government," Richard Syron, chief executive and chairman of the board of Freddie Mac said after an annual shareholders meeting.

The legislation which has not yet been passed by the U.S. Senate would have the two government-sponsored enterprises backstop some loans offered by the Federal Housing Administration. (Editing by Tom Hals)