For Immediate Release:

Saturday, December 13, 2008

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee issued the following statement after President-elect Obama announced his nomination of Shaun Donovan to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As Chairman of the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray oversees and approves HUD’s budget and operations.
 
“The next Housing Secretary will be at the center of a growing storm. With foreclosures skyrocketing, affordable housing options increasingly scarce, and the dream of homeownership at risk for working families, we need real leadership at our nation’s housing agency. Thankfully, President-elect Obama has chosen a HUD Secretary that is uniquely qualified to take on this task.
 
“President-elect Obama has chosen a leader with experience both in housing finance and in HUD’s traditional mission of caring for our neediest families.  Mr. Donovan’s proven record in New York will give the Obama Administration a running start in tackling the many housing challenges we face, not just in our cities but across rural America as well.
 
“Not only must Mr. Donovan focus on the immediate demand to keep working families in their homes, he must also reinvigorate HUD’s efforts to provide shelter and stability to those citizens that are most at risk during a recession.
 
“After eight years of mismanagement, cronyism, and relentless efforts to shortchange our housing priorities, America needs a Housing Secretary that is truly committed to HUD’s mission and to running the agency with transparency and accountability.  Mr. Donovan certainly has the skills and experience to do the job.
 
“In order to be fully effective in advancing a housing agenda, Mr. Donovan must work quickly to reinvigorate a demoralized workforce within HUD.  His career-long commitment to the agency’s goals will bring desperately needed credibility to HUD – something that has been lacking for years.
 
“Mr. Donovan’s experience should return to HUD a rightful seat at the table with the Treasury Department and other agencies that have been seeking to address the nation’s housing crises.”