Live updates: Hearing for HUD Secretary nominee Scott Turner

January 16, 2025 4:55 AM

With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House on Monday, his Cabinet selections have been taking questions from the Senate this week in confirmation hearings.

On Thursday morning, Scott Turner, his pick for secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, gets his opportunity in the chamber. His hearing in front of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m.

A former NFL professional, who played in the league for nine seasons, Turner moved into politics after his playing days were over, previously serving as a Texas state representative between 2013 and 2017. In his first term, Trump appointed Turner to the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, where he was responsible for working with federal agencies to attract private investment to low-income zones.

He currently holds the position of chair of the Center for Education Opportunity at the right-leaning America First Policy Institute, which has actively supported the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025.

If confirmed, Turner will be the only Black member of Trump's Cabinet. In his previous presidential term, Trump selected neurosurgeon Ben Carson to lead the agency. The department has been led by Acting Head Adrianne Todman for the last 10 months following the resignation of Biden appointee Marcia Fudge.

Refresh this page for live updates throughout the hearing.

10 Posts

33d ago

HUD budget: Turner mum on funding cuts

Key Speakers At America First Agenda Summit — NFL veteran Scott Turner was chosen by the Trump administration to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

With President-elect Trump's new Department of Government Efficiency proposing a 75% cut in the number of federal workers, Turner did not provide details on his plans to potentially shrink headcount at HUD.

"What I do support is encouraging people to do the job that they've been called to do. But also I don't want to encourage people to do something I'm not willing to do," he said.

Similarly, when addressing the department's full budget and his willingness to protect it from any future proposed cuts, the nominee repeated comments he made earlier in the hearing. In his first term, Trump regularly proposed slashing HUD's budget, jeopardizing various programs within it.

"My goal, if confirmed by the committee, obviously, is to maximize that budget to meet the needs of the American people and to carry forth the programs at HUD," Turner said.

Turner expressed stronger support for fair housing regulation, though after Sen. Raphael Warnock D-Ga. expressed concerns over rollback of potential anti-discriminatory laws, including those around appraisals.

"I do commit to upholding the law as it is on the books against all illegal discrimination," Turner affirmed.

33d ago

Turner on how state, local governments might better address supply issue

When addressing roadblocks and incentives at the state level regarding the creation of more affordable housing, Turner was receptive to a suggestion from Senator John Kennedy R-La. Kennedy said the government could mandate every state to increase housing starts each year, with federal aid tied to meeting benchmarks. Failure to raise housing by the established minimum would result in fewer federal dollars, with more federal support given to governments that meet the number.

"I think that returning that control back and encouraging that accountability back to the states is a great idea," Turner said. "I do believe that when we incentivize growing, incentivize building, we incentivize certain aspects when it comes to affordability competition always brings out."

33d ago

Turner punts on Trump tariffs

Pressed by Sen. Chris Van Hollen D-Md. about the potential impact of proposed controversial Trump tariffs on affordability and homebuilding costs, Turner was noncommittal about whether they would be sound policy. Van Hollen noted Trump raised tariffs on imported lumber in his first term, with Biden increasing them further.

"I think there's a lot of increase to the cost of housing. I don't want to get into the tariffs conversation, because obviously that is not my job. That's the president, and your job — Congress," Turner said.

"What I want to do is combat anything that raises the cost of housing, be it the cost of construction, be it fees, be it regulatory burdens," he added.

33d ago

Turner voices support for manufactured home policy changes

Turner was supportive of policy changes to encourage housing production. Pointing to his recommendations within his Road to Housing Act, Sen. Scott asked Turner if he would support redefining the definition of manufactured housing in the HUD code to remove requirements that they sit on permanent chassis.

Turner readily agreed. "I know how important manufactured homes are when it comes to housing availability and housing affordability."

Warren pushes for federal housing investments

Sen. Warren questioned Turner about his views on federal spending to create affordable housing, pointing to a 2023 comment of his when he said developers need access to more capital.

Turner appeared reluctant to agree that government spending should play a role for that purpose, saying, "What I do support is maximizing the budget that we do have." Warren said that answer gave her pause.

Turner calls for return to office

The nominee, in his remarks, said employees at the department must return to work to effectively serve the public.

Referencing reports he read, "HUD is at the bottom when it comes to employees turning to work. I've been on many teams in my career, and I believe that we need to bring HUD staff back to work, back to the office, to do the job and empower them to serve the American people."

In opening comments, Turner also said the opportunity to serve as secretary was personal for him, referring to his upbringing throughout the hearing. He alluded to his background as a child of divorce, as well as homelessness among family members.

"The challenges that HUD faces are vital to our nation as well as personal to me. These are not just things that I heard about or read about. These are things that my family and I have experienced through the years, and I believe that that perspective would be very beneficial to HUD as I become the leader," he said.

Committee chair aims barbs at Biden administration

In his opening remarks, Sen. Tim Scott, chairman of the committee, pinned current housing affordability woes on the Biden administration, blaming his decisions for "crushing dreams of millions of Americans."

"Since President Biden took office, mortgage rates have ballooned by 150% and rents by 20% despite all the subsidies and all the trillions of dollars they spent, not much good has happened, Scott added.

Following Scott, ranking member Sen. Elizabeth Warren signaled her hopes that the committee would work well together. Eight new senators joined the committee in January.

"We can find common ground," she said.

Echoing sentiments in her letter, Warren directed her concerns to Turner about his past experience in housing and policy.

"You have a limited public record, and the American people need a chance to hear from you and to hear the details about how you are going to help make housing more affordable," she said.

'Enthusiastic' support from trade groups

In a letter addressed to Sens. Scott and Warren earlier this week, a coalition of 23 housing trade groups expressed "enthusiastic" support for Turner's confirmation.

Noting his experience both in the previous Trump administration and the private sector, signing organizations said they welcomed the opportunity to work with Turner and asked the committee to advance his nomination to the Senate floor as quickly as possible. Included among the signatories were the Mortgage Bankers Association, American Land Title Association, National Association of Home Builders and U.S. Mortgage Insurers.

"Mr. Turner understands the value of strengthening public-private partnerships and collaborating with stakeholders to expand the supply of housing. Equally important, he is passionate about the need to target investment to traditionally underserved communities," the letter said.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren provides list of questions

In a 13-page letter sent to Turner on Jan. 12, the Massachusetts Democrat expressed reservations about his selection, noting "there is little in the public record that reveals how you would further HUD's mission to "create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all."

Warren presented Turner with a list of questions, touching on topics ranging from consolidation in the homebuilding industry, mortgage insurance premiums, predatory lending and climate effects on housing. She requested responses shortly after his hearing.

Among concerns raised was his work in the first Trump term in developing the low-income opportunity zones.

"OZs have been used to subsidize luxury real estate development for wealthy investors and in neighborhoods that already have significant resources and investment, rather than to build affordable housing or boost development in disinvested communities," Warren wrote.

Warren also asked Turner to clarify views on Trump's controversial immigration plans and their effect on the housing market.

"Do you support mass deportation as a solution to the housing crisis?" the letter asked.

Initial reaction to the nomination

Trump selected Turner for the HUD leadership role on Nov. 22, with the announcement coming at the same time as his nomination for Treasury secretary.

In addition to thanking the incoming president on social media platform X, Turner also expressed gratitude to Carson, whom he referred to as a mentor.

Finance industry groups were quick to congratulate Turner, with leaders of the Mortgage Bankers Association and Community Home Lenders of America both saying they looked forward to working with him to solve affordability issues.

Tim Scott, the new Republican chairman of the Senate committee said he would work to quickly confirm Turner. Meanwhile, ranking member Elizabeth Warren raised concerns over possible support of initiatives put forth in Project 2025.