The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dana Wade as the commissioner of the Federal Housing Agency by a 57-40 vote.
All votes against the nomination came from Democrats, with Democratic Sens. Doug Jones (Arkansas), Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Chris Murphy (Connecticut), and Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona) joining Republicans to vote to confirm.
“I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity to hit the ground running during this critical time for our nation’s housing markets,” Commissioner Wade said.
Wade previously served as Acting Federal Housing Commissioner and Assistant Secretary for Housing from July 2017 to June 2018, where she oversaw over 2,400 employees and implemented enhanced risk management and monitoring of FHA’s $1.3 trillion portfolio. Wade also served as a Program Associate Director for General Government at the Office of Management and Budget from December 2018 to December 2019.
In Congress, she served as deputy staff director for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and deputy staff director for the Senate Committee on Appropriations under Senator Richard Shelby.
“Dana has been a tremendous asset to the Department and the Administration throughout her years of service, and I have full confidence in her ability to successfully lead FHA,” HUD Secretary Ben Carson said.
The Mortgage Bankers Association and National Association of Home Builders praised the confirmation.
“During her tenure at HUD, Ms. Wade has been an integral part in strengthening the various programs that provide affordable housing opportunities and assistance to homebuyers and renters,” MBA President and CEO Robert D. Broeksmit said. “With her expertise and experience, I am confident that Ms. Wade will be successful in developing workable solutions during this unprecedented time.”
NAHB Chairman Chuck Fawke added, “NAHB applauds the Senate confirmation of Dana Wade as the new FHA commissioner. Having served as acting FHA commissioner from July 2017 to June 2018, she brings valuable experience to the job and understands the challenges confronting home buyers, renters and home builders stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.”