The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee held a nomination hearing to consider two top housing appointments at HUD. Both nominees faced pointed questions from Senators about their records, priorities, and past actions.

Ben DeMarzo: nominated to serve as assistant secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations.

  • Background:
    • Ben DeMarzo was appointed assistant deputy secretary for field policy and management at HUD during President Trump’s first term.
    • Before HUD, DeMarzo worked for then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) and on Christie’s 2016 presidential campaign.
    • He’s also worked in the NJ state legislature.
  • Senators pressed DeMarzo on oversight, including Senator Smith (D-MN) on a company in Minnesota that lost GRRP funds and faces potential HUD contract cancellations. DeMarzo pledged to follow up on the issue.
  • Senator Alsobrooks (D-MD) emphasized the need to honor commitments to Maryland’s homeless youth. DeMarzo stated that youth homelessness is a top priority for Secretary Turner.

Craig Trainor: nominated to serve as assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO).

  • Background:
    • Craig Trainor previously served as senior special counsel on the House Judiciary Committee under Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH);
    • Senior Litigation Counsel with the America First Policy Institute under former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi; and
    • Of Counsel with The Fairness Center.
    • He previously spent over a decade as a criminal defense and civil rights attorney in New York.
  • Trainor faced scrutiny from Senator Warnock (D-GA) over a “Dear Colleague” letter he previously authored. The letter challenged the idea that the U.S. is built on systemic racism. The exchange raised concerns about housing discrimination across the country and how Trainor would uphold the Fair Housing Act.
  • Senator Alsobrooks (D-MD) pressed Trainor on the sharp drop in fair housing enforcement under the Trump administration, citing that 115 housing discrimination cases were terminated, and the FHEO office saw a two-thirds budget cut and one-third staff reduction.

What’s Next: The Committee will vote to confirm these individuals to their positions before a full vote on the Senate floor.