Katie Britt Questions HUD Secretary nominee Scott Turner at Banking Committee Nomination Hearing

January 16, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) today, during a Senate Banking Committee nomination hearing, questioned Scott Turner, President Donald J. Trump's (R) choice for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Sen. Britt emphasized her support for his confirmation.

In the hearing, Senator Britt began by thanking HUD Secretary nominee Turner for his willingness to serve our nation and the American people. She also highlighted the important experience he will bring to the position to address how four years of the Biden-Harris Administration's red tape regime and failed Bidenomics policies have exacerbated our nation's affordable housing crisis.

"We all know that we are facing a serious problem when it comes to affordable housing in this country," said Senator Britt. "Whether it's inflation, whether it's high construction cost, whether it's interest rates . . . low inventory – we've got a lot of things that we've got to tackle in order to be able to fix this. And unfortunately, over the last four years of the Biden-Harris Administration, these things have not gotten better, they have gotten worse."

"You are going to inherit a tremendous problem, but one that is critically important for people to be able to have their piece of the American Dream . . . I am thrilled about the Trump Administration coming in, you being at the helm, [and] getting [the Department] focused back on solutions and getting real results, rather than prioritizing overburdensome regulations, or mandates, or harmful price controls that ultimately only add fuel to the fire," Britt added.

Senator Britt emphasized her commitment to working with HUD Secretary nominee Turner on their shared goal of streamlining HUD programs and implementing targeted reforms, while eliminating unnecessary regulations to lower housing costs. She continued by questioning HUD Secretary nominee Turner on his plans to advance solutions to help make homeownership more accessible for hardworking Americans.

". . . when you look over the last year: homelessness jumping 18% in the last 12 months, 33% since 2020," said Britt. "It's absolutely unacceptable. You look at the fact that a new cost [of a] home has now risen 30% since 2020 . . . and 24% of that is directly attributed to regulation. I know that you agree that that is unacceptable, and it's clear that overburdensome regulation is part of this."

"I want to just talk to you a little bit about your intention here to assess and measure the effectiveness of current HUD programs," asked Britt. "Tell me what approach you're going to take there and how you're going to see what is working for the American people, what is not, and what is your plan in executing that?"

"So number one, and I've used this word before, 'inventory' and taking an assessment is key," answered Turner. "You have to know what's working and what's not working . . . Is it building more affordable housing, or is it not? Is it helping the homelessness in our country, or is it not? Is it meeting the needs of Americans that we serve, or is it not? And I think if we go from there, to come back to you [and] this Committee, and say, 'Hey, this is what we have found. This [is what] works, and this is what is not working. This is what is efficient, and this is what is duplicative.'" "So I think those simple principles could do very well going forward."

"Excellent, I look forward to working with you on that and your commitment to making sure that we get this right," Britt said.

Scott Turner is a former Texas state Representative.

He told the Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday that the department is failing "its most basic mission."

"HUD's mission is to create strong and sustainable communities and support quality affordable housing serving the most vulnerable of our nation," Turner said. "Yet, as we sit here, we have a housing crisis in our country."

Trump cannot formally nominate Turner until he is inaugurated on Monday. Once that is complete the committee and the Senate will vote on Turner's confirmation.

Turner was a Texas state representative from 2013 to 2017. He ran to be the Texas Speaker of the House; but lost to incumbent Speaker Joe Straus. Turner did not run for reelection.

Turner played nine seasons in the NFL for the then-Washington Redskins, the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos.

Turner served in Trump's first administration as the director of a council that led an investment program in low-income areas.

Turner has warned that welfare is "dangerous."

The U.S. had a housing shortage of about 5 million units in 2023. Home prices have increased 48% nationally since 2019. Homelessness has risen 18% since 2023.

Turner said that the costs of construction materials can be lowered by getting the "fiscal house in order."

Original reporting by the Texas Tribune contributed to this report.

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