Senate confirms Trump pick for FHA commissioner

After months of delays, the Senate has finally voted to confirm Brian Montgomery to lead the agency

Senate confirms Trump pick for FHA commissioner

The Senate, after months of delays, has confirmed Brian Montgomery as commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration. Montgomery was confirmed by a vote of 74-23.

The Trump nominee was approved to lead the FHA by the Senate Banking Committee in November, but a full vote on his nomination didn’t happen before the Senate went into recess over the holidays, according to DSNews. On Jan. 8, the nomination was sent back to the Senate Banking Committee, and once again sent back for a vote by the full Senate.

Montgomery served as assistant secretary of HUD and FHA commissioner under presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He’s also served as vice chairman of The Collingwood Group, a real estate finance consulting firm.

Elizabeth Mendenhall, president of the National Association of Realtors, praised the confirmation.

“Brian Montgomery served as Federal Housing Administration commissioner during one of the most critical periods in the history of America’s housing industry,” she said. “He has shown the ability to lead, and understands the essential role the FHA plays in addressing affordability and facilitating homeownership in the US, particularly for first-time homebuyers.”

 

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