Press Releases

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Marcia Fudge (OH-11) released the following statement regarding the Senate’s failure to vote for cloture to end debate that would allow Rep. Mel Watt (NC-12) to be confirmed as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA):

“I am very disappointed that today the Senate failed to proceed with the vote of confirmation for Rep. Mel Watt for Director of the FHFA. At a time where American families are still recovering from the effect of the mortgage crisis, Rep. Watt’s leadership of this agency would be critical to restoring the integrity of the housing finance system and return homeownership in this country as a key to building wealth.  

“Rep. Watt’s work as a corporate and real estate lawyer and as a Member of the House of Representatives on the Committees on Financial Services and the Judiciary reflect his commitment to protecting low income and middle class families from damaging practices in the financial industry. Rep. Watt has advocated for polices that increase affordable housing and to end predatory lending, including the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that will ensure transparency and accountability in financial practices for years to come. Congressman Watt should also be shown the same deference by the Senate as other sitting Members of Congress who have been nominated to top-level positions.  

“Members of the Congressional Black Caucus strongly support President Obama’s nomination of Rep. Watt for Director of the FHFA and will continue to encourage our colleagues in the Senate to confirm him for this position.”

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