The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at 10 a.m. for the nominations of:
- Francis Cassidy, to be Assistant Secretary for Housing / Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Commissioner at HUD; and
- Joseph Gormley, to be President of Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) at HUD.
In Context: Information on their backgrounds can be found here.
While many of the housing questions focused on increasing costs associated with single-family homeownership, a few multifamily conversations took place:
- Cassidy answered multiple questions saying he plans to take inventory of HUD and FHA programs to deregulate and streamline efficiency.
- Senators Tillis (R-NC) and Warnock (D-GA) more broadly questioned Cassidy on this topic.
- Senators Smith (D-MN), Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cortez Masto (D-NV) specifically questioned how the reductions in force (RIFs) achieve Cassidy’s goal.
- Senators Reed (D-RI) and Cortez Masto requested an inquiry into the 221d(4) program to shorten application process time.
- Senator Cortez Masto also asked about partnering with Department of Interior (DOI) to expedite federal land purchases for affordable housing.
- Senator Moreno (R-OH) asked the only question to Gormley about his “north star” for affordable housing.
- Gormley responded he wants to improve efficiency at Ginnie Mae and attract more capital to enable affordable rental opportunities.
What’s Next: The Committee will vote on the nominees to send them to the Senate Floor for a final confirmation vote.
