Sometime today we’re confirming Scott Turner as the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
As a former NFL cornerback, developer, state and local official, and Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, Mr. Turner understands the challenges facing American communities.
While the vast majority of housing and development issues are solved at the local and state level, I certainly understand how the federal government and the programs utilized by many Iowa individuals, families and communities assist with making our cities the best place to live, work and play.
I look forward to working with Scott Turner to advance Iowa priorities and sound policies for our nation.
Even though I did not meet with Scott Turner in my office, as I do with most nominees for the Cabinet, I stress to him today the importance of responding to congressional letters and inquiries – and I’ll have an example of that in just a minute.
I want to explain that Congress has a constitutional duty to perform oversight over the executive branch, or, as we learn in our high school government classes, what we call checks and balances.
Congress not only passes laws and appropriates money, but we have a responsibility to make sure those laws are faithfully executed by whoever is President of the United States.
Oversight then allows us to hold bureaucrats accountable to the rule of law and it helps keep the faith with taxpayers.
If we have transparency in government, we have greater accountability of the government product – or lack there of.
Let me give an example where congressional oversight has been much needed at Housing and Urban Development.
Congress passed legislation that became effective in July 2013 that required federal contracts to include anti-retaliation protections for contractor employees.
This works to ensure whistleblowers are protected.
However, over the last decade, the HUD Inspector General found that thousands of HUD contractors lacked these whistleblower protections, because the agency failed to adequately update their past contracts to include whistleblowers and whistleblower protections.
Last August, following up on my responsibility to investigate, I requested answers and records about these findings, but Housing and Urban Development under the Biden administration failed to fully respond and provide responsive records.
I fully expect Mr. Turner, as the new Secretary, to respond to all congressional inquiries in a timely and [responsive] manner.
I look forward to working with this new Secretary to support long-term housing and revitalization policies to keep our communities, our states and our nation strong.
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