WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced Texan and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary nominee Scott Turner at today’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Excerpts from his remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“It’s a pleasure to be here today to introduce my friend and fellow Texan, Scott Turner, to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and thank you for allowing me the honor of just saying a few words.”

“Scott is a fourth-generation Texan. That’s a big deal in Texas.”

“He’s an accomplished leader and dedicated public servant. He was elected to the statehouse in Texas in 2012, and he went on to serve at the White House under President Trump as Executive Director of the Opportunity and Revitalization Council. The Council was established by President Trump in 2018 to carry out the implementation of the bipartisan opportunity zones, which were passed as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to promote investment in areas that need revitalization.” 

“He’s also an active member in his community. Scott founded a nonprofit called the Community Engagement and Opportunity Council to support impoverished children.”

“He also served as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. Scott currently serves as Chair of the Center for Education Opportunity for the America First Policy Institute.”

“His business acumen, his experience in government, especially with the first Trump administration, and his demonstrated ability to use housing and development to create brighter prospects for his fellow Americans makes him eminently qualified to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

“It is my honor to support his nomination.”

“I hope you will vote his nomination out of the committee promptly so we can get him confirmed and put him to work.”