September 04, 2025

Chairman Scott, Senate Banking Colleagues Consider Several Key Presidential Nominations in Full Committee Hearing

Washington, D.C. – Today, led by Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the Senate Banking Committee considered several nominations for key positions throughout the Trump administration and the Federal Reserve:

  • Mr. Ben Hobbs, to be Assistant Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Mr. Ronnie Kurtz, to be Assistant Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Dr. Stephen Miran, to be Governor, Board of Governors of Federal Reserve System
  • Mr. Christopher Pilkerton, to be Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury
  • Mr. Jonathan Burke, to be Assistant Secretary, Department of the Treasury

Chairman Scott’s remarks as delivered:

Today, we once again convene to consider a slate of well-qualified nominees put forward by President Trump.

Each nominee here shares a commitment to ensuring the American economy remains strong, competitive, and secure.

From housing affordability, to protecting our financial systems from bad actors, to maintaining confidence in the Federal Reserve.

The work of these nominees directly impacts the lives of everyday Americans – and the prosperity of states like my home state of South Carolina.

[With] more than 450,000 small businesses operating in South Carolina alone, decisions made in Washington have a direct impact on local jobs and economic growth.

The Senate Banking Committee must ensure that those entrusted with these roles are capable, accountable, and focused on advancing opportunity for all Americans.

The nominees before us will play a key role in addressing these economic challenges and ensuring America’s workforce remains competitive.

Let me briefly highlight the impressive credentials of each nominee before us today:

Mr. Ben Hobbs, nominated to serve as HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, is someone I know very well.

As opposed to reading about him, I’ll just simply say that from Opportunity Zones to his work on my staff, he has proven to be an excellent, excellent person committed to the success and the prosperity of the everyday Americans.

The one thing we need more of are people who are sacrificial in providing service to our country and varied roles throughout and it has been my honor and privilege to watch Ben succeed.

…

Mr. Ronnie Kurtz, nominated to be HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, bringing practical, on-the-ground experience from his leadership in the state of Georgia.

He knows firsthand the responsibilities of this position – from code enforcement to zoning, building inspections, and public hearings.

That kind of hands-on knowledge is critical at HUD, where decisions must balance local realities with national priorities.

Together, their experience will help guide federal programs to better serve communities, and I look forward to their leadership in carrying out our ROAD to Housing Act when it becomes law.

Dr. Stephen Miran, nominated to serve as a Governor on the Federal Reserve Board, is well known on this Committee.

As Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, he has already helped guide the Trump administration toward policies that have boosted domestic production, reduced trade deficits, and increased revenues for the Treasury Department.

His expertise will strengthen the Fed at this critical moment.

Mr. Christopher Pilkerton, nominated to be the Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Investment Security, and will lead the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. and the Department’s outbound investment screening efforts.

He brings the legal and financial experience needed to keep America secure from hostile foreign influence and to ensure U.S. investment does not aid our adversaries in key sectors.

Mr. Jonathan Burke, nominated to be Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, has a proven track record both in government and in the private sector.

From his early days at Treasury to his work implementing rigorous anti-financial crime controls in the private sector, Mr. Burke understands the stakes of his mission: protecting the American economy from those who would do it harm.

Each of these nominees represent President Trump’s commitment to unleashing the Golden Age of American prosperity.

An age where families can access safe housing, where small businesses in South Carolina and across the nation can thrive, and where the United States can stop those who would do financial harm and stay ahead of those who want to undermine our economic strength.