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Thune Discusses Scott Turner’s Plan to Revamp the Department of Housing and Urban Development

“It’s a big job, but Scott Turner has the grit, the determination, and passion to get it done.”

February 4, 2025

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, the Senate will also soon vote on the nomination of Scott Turner to be secretary of housing and urban development.

“This is an important role.

“Our country is facing a housing crisis affecting big cities, rural areas, tribal lands – literally every part of our country.

“Higher construction costs and burdensome regulations have made homebuilding challenging.

“And what homes are on the market are too pricey for many Americans.

“Many parts of the country have homelessness challenges.

“Too many distressed communities are struggling to turn their fortunes around.

“And despite a windfall of additional funding for HUD, these problems are, in many cases, getting worse.

“Fortunately, Mr. President, President Trump has nominated someone to lead Housing and Urban Development who knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity.

“Scott Turner grew up in Plano and Richardson, Texas, in challenging circumstances.

“But he was determined to achieve the American Dream.

“At age 10, he told his mother he would play professional football.

“With a lot of determination and hard work, he graduated from the University of Illinois and was drafted to play in the NFL.

“In the 2003 offseason – a time he could have used to take a break – this NFL athlete was interning in a congressional office.

“And since he hung up his cleats, Scott Turner has spent his time working to make a difference.

“That’s included founding an organization to help children in poverty, serving as a Texas state legislator, and helping to lead the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during the first Trump administration.

“Mr. President, the 2017 Republican tax relief legislation did a lot to help revitalize the economy.

“One of the things it did was create the Opportunity Zone program championed by our colleague Senator Tim Scott.

“It was Scott Turner who oversaw this program for the White House, visiting Opportunity Zones across the country in an effort to revitalize America’s distressed communities.

“And I’m confident he will bring that same concern for distressed areas to his work as secretary.

“Mr. President, President Trump has made it clear that we are going to be building things in America again.

“One of those things we’re going to be building is communities.

“It’s a big job, but Scott Turner has the grit, the determination, and passion to get it done.

“And I look forward to working with him on this important mission.”