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.

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.

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.

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1m ago

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.

55m ago

“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.

5h 59m ago

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.

6h 4m ago

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.