President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday officially announced that Ohio Congresswoman Marcia Fudge as the nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Fudge, who had wanted to lead the Department of Agriculture, was one of five major appointments unveiled. They include Tom Vilsack (USDA), Denis McDonough (Veterans Affairs), Katherine Tai (US Trade Representative) and Susan Rice (director of White House Policy Council).
“This dedicated and distinguished group of public servants will bring the highest level of experience, compassion, and integrity to bear, solving problems and expanding possibilities for the American people in the face of steep challenges,” Biden said. “The roles they will take on are where the rubber meets the road — where competent and crisis-tested governance can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, enhancing the dignity, equity, security, and prosperity of the day-to-day lives of Americans. This is the right team for this moment in history, and I know that each of these leaders will hit the ground running on day one to take on the interconnected crises families are facing today.”
Fudge, 68, first won election to the U.S. House in 2008 and was re-elected last month with more than 80 percent of the vote. She serves on the Agriculture and Education and Labor Committees in the House.
A native of Cleveland, Fudge earned a business degree from Ohio State University and a law degree from Cleveland State University. She was the mayor of Warrensville Heights from 2000 through 2008.
The National Association of Home Builders congratulated Fudge on her appointment.
“Upon her confirmation to the Cabinet post, NAHB looks forward to working with Secretary Fudge to enact a robust rental assistance program to help millions of renters and small business property owners who have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic,” NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke said. “We also seek to work together to ensure qualified home buyers have access to housing credit and to promote affordable homeownership and rental housing opportunities for all Americans.”
Her appointment was applauded by the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning advocacy organization.
“As HUD secretary, Rep. Fudge will use her considerable intellect and energy to ensure that every American has a safe, secure place to call home,” said Mara Rudman, executive vice president for policy. “For many years, Rep. Fudge has advocated for affordable housing and fought housing discrimination in rural and urban communities alike. Through her years as a mayor and congresswoman, she has shown a deep commitment to use federal policy to better communities and people’s lives.”
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris added, “The administration members we are announcing today will help us meet a range of … challenges — from helping make sure no American goes hungry to putting affordable housing within reach for all to caring for veterans and their families and advancing our ideals of opportunity and equality. These deeply experienced public servants reflect the best of our nation and will be ready to hit the ground running on day one to rebuild our country in a way that lifts up all Americans.”