Transition Begins
Following this week’s election, new leadership changes are reshaping the federal government and Congress. Next year, President-Elect Donald Trump will be joined by a Republican-controlled 115th Congress (both House and Senate). As with any change in administration, the transition is an important time. NAHMA is monitoring who will fill key leadership positions at regulatory agencies (HUD, RD, Treasury/IRS). In regards to the next HUD Secretary, several names are rumored on the shortlist, including:
Ken Blackwell, former Cincinnati Mayor and Ohio Secretary of State, who is serving as head of domestic policy for the Trump’s transition. Blackwell also served as a HUD Undersecretary under President George H.W. Bush from 1989 to 1990. President Bush appointed him Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights from 1992 to 1993.
Pam Patenaude, who is currently the president of the J. Ronald Terwilliger Foundation for Housing America’s Families. During the George W. Bush administration, Patenaude served as HUD Assistant Secretary for Community, Planning and Development (CPD). Patenaude is also the former director of housing policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Other rumored candidates include Scott Brown, former Massachusetts Senator and Rob Astorino, the current Westchester County Executive (NY). We will continue to keep members informed on all upcoming leadership changes.
Remaining Funding Hurdle
NAHMA continues to advocate for passage of full year funding for FY17, including renewal of all key rental assistance for HUD and RD Programs. There has been no clear signal on what Congress will do to fund the government, when they return next week. With the election of a President from their own party, Republican congressional leaders may reconsider passing FY17 spending bills when the current stopgap funding bill expires on Dec.9. Some congressional Republicans see an advantage in further delaying long-term spending decisions during the lame-duck session and waiting until President-Elect Trump begins in late January. NAHMA should have some clarity for members next week, as the “lame-duck” period begins.