Many insiders tend to describe the housing issue as a bipartisan piece that has not been affected by the controversy over divisive issues during a historically diverse political era.
This was very much on display during the event The Senate confirmation hearing for Scott Turner to be the next secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The audition included a lot of football jokes, due to Turner’s previous career as a player The NFL player.
There is an element of political theater in confirmation hearings, as lawmakers who are politically aligned with the nominee often ask soft questions that give them a platform to talk about their priorities in a friendly exchange. In contrast, lawmakers who oppose an incoming president often ask tough questions that could drive the game into a legislative powerhouse or designed to boost the nominee’s public record.
All of these trends were on display Thursday during Turner’s two-plus hour hearing with members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The hearing provided a solid look at some of Turner’s guiding philosophies if he is confirmed as HUD secretary.
‘Growing’ the HUD budget
When asked by lawmakers from both parties about his priorities as HUD secretary, Turner repeatedly said he would want to “expand” the department’s existing budget authority but stopped short of saying he would advocate for a budget increase.
Republican committee members have repeatedly emphasized the need to review HUD’s existing budget and its effectiveness in increasing access to affordable housing and limiting homelessness. Some lawmakers say that “throwing money” at HUD’s programs has failed to change the nature of the problems caused by the cost shortfall and the increase in the number of homeless people.
Turner seemed to be very much in line with these sentiments, expressing several times the need to get the “fiscal house in order,” especially regarding inflation and interest rates.
Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern over feelings about HUD’s budget and possible cuts to existing aid programs. In an earlier exchange, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) — a ranking member of the committee who has already sent Turner a series of questions she wants answers to before a confirmation vote — asked if she supported “more investment in federal programs to lower the cost of building affordable housing.” .” Turner responded that HUD’s existing budget should be directed toward more efficient outcomes.
“What I support is increasing the budget we have,” Turner began, before Warren interrupted him to ask if that meant he wouldn’t support more investment. Turner also emphasized the need to increase existing investments to ensure that current programs have their impact.
“Well, I have to say, that gives me real pause,” Warren replied.
The topic of homelessness came up again and again, and Turner aimed to emphasize the desire to allow more local interventions to alleviate the problems of homelessness.
Homelessness critics and advocates have expressed serious doubts about Turner’s potential actions on the issue, National Center for Homelessness Law (NHLC) and The National Coalition for the Homeless publicly requested that the Senators vote “no” to his appointment. The NHLC representative said it has never opposed the HUD secretary nominee.
The effects of immigration
During the 2024 presidential campaign, President-elect Donald Trump spoke consistently about his belief that the increase in illegal immigration has increased the cost of housing across the country. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed concern about the potential impact of immigration on housing.
“If you had ‘property and demand for booths,’ you would turn to the front page and say, ‘Well, if you add 12 million illegal items into the country at a time when we need housing, maybe housing prices will go up. ” said Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). “However, there is a surprising amount of denial about that fact.”
Turner acknowledged that illegal immigration is impacting US housing, citing a HUD report from December. It named immigration — but not illegal immigration, specifically — as one of several factors driving homelessness to record highs.
“If you have 12 to 20 million people entering our country illegally, it will be a huge burden on the economy, housing, homelessness. [and] health in our country,” said Turner. “And as the report says, it’s a huge responsibility, and that’s something I think we as a country, and you as a country. Congressas a The White Housewe have to work to end it so we can take care of the American people.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said he agrees with the idea that illegal immigration puts a burden on state institutions. But he also expressed concern about mixed-race families in his state where a U.S. citizen is married to an undocumented immigrant.
When asked if he would consider these types of families, since denying them housing or evicting them would affect the American people, Turner said he would focus more on enforcing existing laws.
“My job as HUD secretary will be to keep the laws on the books, sometimes we need to make tough decisions,” said Turner. “We don’t like to tear families apart, but we have a responsibility to serve the American people and keep the laws on the books.”
Gallego emphasized that he hopes that Turner understands the difference of mixed status, and that the deportation of an illegal spouse can lead to the flight of American citizens.
Other programs
Turner said he recognizes the importance of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and vowed to work with Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) to see how they affect the housing situation in his state and elsewhere.
Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) criticized his former governor, Roy Cooper (D), for what he called the ineffectiveness of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds in the state, especially after the Hurricane. Helen. Turner has vowed to travel the country to explore how this deployment can be improved.
On the subject of disaster recovery, Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-Nev.) asked Turner about recent statements made by Trump suggesting California disaster relief funds could be withheld based on certain conditions he may want to impose.
“What I am committed to is that when we look at this fund, if it is confirmed by the committee, how do we release the resources to families and communities in need to rebuild,” said Turner. “Because that’s so important, that would be a priority for me when it comes to disaster relief funding that Congress has provided.”
Turner was also asked about how broader management goals might interact with housing. On the topic of prices, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) asked if higher lumber prices would increase the cost of construction and housing. Turner said he’s not interested in taking a deep dive into the costs, because that won’t be within his purview as HUD secretary.
“I think there is a lot of increase in housing costs,” he said. “I don’t want to get into the tax debate, because that’s obviously not my job. That is the president and your job as a Congressman. But what I want to do is fight anything that increases the cost of housing, be it construction costs, fees [or] regulatory burdens.”
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