Newsroom

December 10, 2013

Watt confirmed as FHFA director

By a vote of 57 to 41, the Senate last night confirmed Rep. Mel Watt, D-N.C., as the new director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

"We congratulate Rep. Watt on his confirmation and look forward to working with him," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. "NAFCU has always appreciated his willingness to meet with credit unions and to hear their concerns."

The Senate paved the way for last night's action earlier Tuesday, voting 57-40 to allow a vote on confirmation. A similar vote taken in October (56-42) failed because it didn't get the 60 affirmative votes required by a Senate rule designed to block a filibuster. That rule was changed last month to require a minimum of 51 affirmative votes.

Watt was nominated to the FHFA post by President Obama in May. He previously served as a North Carolina state senator, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992.

Watt will fill the post that Ed DeMarco has held in acting capacity since 2009.