Remaining Committee Ranking Members Confirmed
On Wednesday, January 21, the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, Nita Lowey (D-NY), confirmed the Democratic members for the various appropriations subcommittees.
Agriculture Subcommittee:
- Sam Farr (D-CA) Ranking Member
- Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
- Sanford Bishop (D-GA)
- Chellie Pingree (D-ME)
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee:
- David Price (D-NC), Ranking Member
- Mike Quigley (D-IL)
- Tim Ryan (D-OH)
- Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
There was no change to the Democrat’s subcommittee membership from the 113th Congress in the Agriculture Subcommittee. The T-HUD Subcommittee was altered as former Ranking Member Ed Pastor (D-AZ) retired at the end of the 113th Congress. Representative David Price from North Carolina was the next most senior member of this subcommittee; Representative Cuellar from Texas is new to the subcommittee.
In the Senate, Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran confirmed the Republican Chairmen for the various Senate appropriations subcommittees. The entire member rosters for these subcommittees will be released soon, according to a press release issued by the Committee.
Agriculture Subcommittee Chair:
- Jerry Moran (R-KS)
- (Ranking Member: Jeff Merkley (D-OR))
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Chair:
- Susan Collins (R-ME)
- (Ranking Member: Jack Reed (D-RI))
Senator Moran had previously sat as a member of the Agriculture Subcommittee and he will now be taking the reins from former chair Mark Pryor (D-AR). Susan Collins was formally the Ranking Member of the T-HUD Subcommittee and is now serving as its chair. Collins has been a strong supporter of the Project-Based Section 8 program.
If you manage or own properties in the Congressional Districts or states listed above, NAHMA encourages you to meet with the elected representative in order to promote program spending for affordable housing. During our March meeting, members will be visiting with their Representatives/Senators and staff in their DC Congressional offices. To identify your Representatives and Senators, use
NAHMA Maps. For assistance in scheduling a meeting please contact Scott McMillen at
scott.mcmillen@nahma.org.
House Financial Services Committee Adopts Oversight Plan
On Wednesday, January 21, members of the House Financial Services Committee unanimously approved an oversight plan for the 114th Congress. The rules of the House require each standing committee to adopt an oversight plan which outlines the committee’s specific goals in its oversight jurisdiction. While this plan does not mention specifics on how the committee will conduct its oversight, it does give insight into expected agenda items for the new Congress.
From the plan:
“Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA): The Committee will monitor the activities and initiatives of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.”
“Housing and Urban Development, Rural Housing Service, and the National Reinvestment Corporation: The Committee will conduct oversight of the mission, operations, and budgets of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the National Reinvestment Corporation. The Committee will review current HUD and RHS programs with the goal of identifying inefficient and duplicative programs for potential elimination or streamlining.”
“Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and Affordable Housing: The Committee will continue its effort to address HUD’s largest rental assistance program and the government’s role in the future of affordable rental housing.”
The plan continues these statements for the HOME Investment Partnerships program and the Community Development Block Grant program. There is a little more detailed information for the committee’s role in oversight of the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac:
“Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: The Committee will examine proposals to modify or terminate Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s statutory charters, harmonize their business operations, and wind down any legacy business commitments. The Committee will also examine the overall size of the GSEs’ footprint in various aspects of the housing finance system 6 and ways to reduce or constrain their large market share and develop a vibrant, innovative and competitive private mortgage market.”
It appears that the House Financial Services Committee will continue to examine options that will close or reduce the size of the GSEs, and reduce the federal government’s overall role in the U.S. housing market. In the 113th Congress, Chairman Hensarling had begun this work with the PATH Act, a bill that would have closed the GSEs, decreased the market share of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and introduced more private investment capital into the mortgage market. While the PATH Act did pass the committee, it made little progress in the full House. It is unclear whether Hensarling and other Republican leaders on this committee will continue to pursue the PATH Act in its current form.
To read a press release on this plan from Chairman Hensarling, please
click here
To read the entire Committee Oversight plan, please
click here
