On the recordMarch 10, 2021
I rise today to voice my support for the confirmation of my friend and colleague Congresswoman Marcia Fudge to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. I know that she will bring strong leadership to HUD at a time when our Nation needs it most. Across my State of Maryland and throughout the country, our fellow Americans are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. Families are living in fear of eviction or of missing their next mortgage payment. In this time of crisis, we need a leader at HUD who will prioritize tackling the ongoing housing crisis spurred by COVID-19. Congresswoman Fudge has expressed her determination to do just that. She is a dedicated and experienced public servant who has earned a reputation for swift action and firm leadership. Her accumulated experience spanning a lifetime of service will be invaluable in helping the Federal Government mount a robust and coordinated campaign to bring those hardest hit back from the brink and ensure an equitable recovery. While addressing the urgent needs of renters and homeowners during this pandemic, we can't lose sight of the bigger picture. The pandemic has exacerbated our country's affordable housing crisis and shone a spotlight on how it disproportionately harms communities of color. We are seeing the result of decades of discriminatory practices like redlining that have targeted minority families and left an enduring stain on our communities that won't be easily wiped away.…
