JOHNSON STATEMENT ON NOMINATION HEARING

WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Johnson (D-SD) held a hearing on the nominations of Alan Krueger to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, David Montoya to be HUD Inspector General, and Cyrus Amir-Mokri to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

 

“Good morning.  I call this hearing to order.

 

“Thanks to all of our nominees for joining us here today.  I also extend a warm welcome to our witnesses’ families and friends who are here with us.

 

“Today we consider three nominees to fill important roles in the Administration at the Council of Economic Advisers, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Treasury Department. 

 

“The Council of Economic Advisers is an agency within the Executive Branch charged with offering the President objective economic advice on the formulation of both domestic and international economic policy. At this point in the economic recovery, the Administration’s economic team must have “all hands on deck.” So it is important that the Committee move in a timely manner on the consideration of Dr. Alan Krueger for this post.

 

“David Montoya was nominated to serve as HUD’s Inspector General and fulfill the office’s mission of providing independent and objective reporting to the Secretary and the Congress on HUD’s operations. As with all executive agencies, a confirmed Inspector General is crucial for the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of HUD.

 

“The Office of Financial Institutions within the Treasury Department formulates policy on financial institutions, GSEs, and financial education. I hope that the Committee can proceed on the consideration of Mr. Cyrus Amir-Mokri as Assistant Secretary so that this Office can function at full capacity.”

 

-30-