Senate Panel Approves Bush's HUD Nominee
By GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - A Senate panel on Tuesday approved President Bush (news - web sites)'s choice to lead the Housing and Urban Development Department, a week after the agency withdrew a mortgage proposal that rankled a key Republican.
The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee voted unanimously to elevate Alphonso Jackson to HUD secretary. He has served as the agency's top deputy the past three years.
His nomination now goes to the full Senate, where it is expected to receive approval.
Jackson, a Bush friend who has led public housing agencies in Dallas, Washington and St. Louis, has served as acting secretary since Mel Martinez stepped down Dec. 9 to run for a Senate seat in Florida. Bush tapped Jackson to take over the job permanently three days later.
But Jackson's confirmation came into question last month after Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., criticized a HUD proposal that the agency said could save consumers hundreds of dollars on mortgage closing costs.
Allard, who chairs the Senate housing subcommittee, told Jackson he could not support his nomination because Congress and industry groups did not have enough time to review the planned changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act.
The Federal Trade Commission also questioned whether the plan would save money for home buyers, and industry critics said the proposal could have the effect of hiding fees from consumers.
Jackson withdrew the proposal last week, saying more time was needed "to refine and reevaluate it." He denied the move was an attempt to appease Allard.
HUD says the proposal will be resubmitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval, but has offered no timetable.
"I commend Mr. Jackson for this action," Allard said Tuesday. "In light of this evidence to follow Congress' intent, I am happy to announce that I support Mr. Jackson's nomination."
Jackson, in a statement, thanked the committee. "I am honored by their vote today and by the confidence President Bush showed in me through his nomination," he said.
Bush and Jackson once lived in the same neighborhood in Dallas, and the two men often play golf together.
Before being confirmed in June 2001 to be HUD deputy secretary, Jackson was Texas president of American Electric Power, an energy and utility company based in Columbus, Ohio.
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