Hoping to Reach Final Spending Deal, Congress Extends CR
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH).
Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH) is President-elect Biden’s pick to run the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The appointment had been announced by several media outlets early in the second week of December and a December 10 post on the Biden transition team’s website made it official, stating that the “driving mission of [Fudge’s] career has been to reduce poverty and address inequality.”
Rep. Fudge, 68, has served in the House since 2008 and is the former Mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio. The Congresswoman is a graduate of the Ohio State University and obtained her law degree from the Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. The transition team site said Rep. Fudge is a “longtime champion of affordable housing, urban revitalization, infrastructure investment, and other reforms to enhance the safety, prosperity, and sustainability of American communities.” Fudge represents parts of Cleveland and Akron and is a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). The CBC approved of the pick, saying in a statement that “…she will help tackle one of the biggest looming threats facing Americans during this economic crisis: evictions and housing insecurity.”
PHADA Executive Director Tim Kaiser said the nomination was “most welcome and the association looks forward to working with the new Secretary and the incoming HUD team.” PHADA Trustee Brian Gage of the Akron, HA added “Rep. Fudge has been a champion for low income families in Northeast Ohio and across our nation. Under her direction, I am encouraged we can make progress towards ensuring that all of our communities have safe and affordable housing.”
In other important news that was pending as this edition went to print, the House and Senate passed a one-week Continuing Resolution to extend government funding to December 18. Lawmakers will attempt to finalize a FY 21 spending plan by then, but there could be additional extensions required. Congress is also trying to develop an acceptable compromise on a COVID-19 relief package that would total roughly $900 billion-$1 trillion. PHADA will issue timely updates on these matters in membership emails, through twitter and on www.phada.org.