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18
Apr
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by Buck • 5:50 pm
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Bush, describing his new HUD chief, Steve Preston.
Bush chooses SBA chief Steve Preston to take over HUD
WASHINGTON - President Bush on Friday chose SBA Administrator Steve Preston to lead the government’s housing agency at a time of crisis in the industry, praising him as a skilled manager. Democrats hailed Preston as a problem’solver.
If confirmed by the Senate, Preston would replace Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson, who announced his resignation last month amid a criminal investigation and allegations of political favoritism. Jackson’s last day on the job was Friday and he sat in the Roosevelt Room to hear Bush announce his successor.
Sen. Chris Dodd feels a bit differently:
As our nation faces the biggest housing crisis in recent history, we need a strong leader at the Department of Housing and Urban Development who is dedicated to helping people keep their homes, restoring stability and confidence in the mortgage market, and creating more affordable housing opportunities. These priorities call for a leader with expertise in housing issues, yet the President’s choice has no apparent housing background, which raises questions.
