Banking Committee to Question HUD Nominee

The Senate Banking Committee tomorrow will question Steven Preston, President Bush’s nominee to replace Alphonso Jackson as chairman of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Preston looks to face tough questions from the panel’s chairman, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), whose reaction to Preston’s nomination in April was less than warm.

Bush nominated Preston on April 24 to replace Jackson, who resigned in March amid allegations of corruption. The Washington Post reported in February that Jackson had demanded a discount for a friend from the Philadelphia Housing Authority, and a 2006 Inspector General’s report found that Jackson urged housing officials to take contractors’ politics into account when awarding grants and contracts.

Preston also drew doubtful reactions in April from House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).