April 17, 2018

Crapo Statement at Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, delivered the following remarks at a nomination hearing for nominees to the Federal Transit Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
 
The text of Chairman Crapo’s remarks, as prepared, is below.
 
“This morning, we will consider the nominations of three more individuals to serve in key leadership posts within the Administration.
 
“Welcome to all of you, and congratulations on your nomination to these very important offices.
 
“I see friends and family behind you and I welcome them here today, as well.
 
“The nominees before us are Thelma Drake, to be Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration; Jeffrey, or ‘Jeb’ Nadaner to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement; and Seth Appleton, to be Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Policy Development and Research.
 
“Each of these nominees will play an important role in shaping national policy and advancing economic opportunity for millions of Americans, and each nominee brings unique experience and expertise to the table.
 
“Ms. Drake has dedicated a significant amount of her career to infrastructure, including public transportation.
 
“In addition to her role at the City of Norfolk’s Public Works Department, she previously served as the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, overseeing public transportation priorities.
 
“During her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ms. Drake served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
 
“Her previous infrastructure experience provides her with an understanding of the role that transit plays in comprehensive transportation networks.
 
“Mr. Nadaner has spent more than two decades focused on US national security, industrial technology and federal legal compliance.
 
“In the private sector, Mr. Nadaner held multiple leadership positions at Lockheed Martin and several small businesses, including Lockheed’s Vice President of Engineering and Technology and Director of Business Development and Strategy.
 
“Mr. Nadaner also served in numerous positions at executive agencies including Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Stability and Operations Partnership Strategy, multiple senior positions at the State Department, and as an attorney at the Department of Justice.
 
“He is well equipped to lead Export Enforcement for the Bureau of Industry and Security.
 
“Mr. Appleton has spent most of his career on Capitol Hill, where he has developed expertise in housing policy and financial services issues.
 
“As Chief of Staff to Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer for nearly a decade, Mr. Appleton played a key role in the bipartisan housing reform with the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, or ‘HOTMA,’ which passed in 2016.
 
“Mr. Appleton’s nomination has been met with bipartisan support from Senators McCaskill and Blunt, and the entire Missouri Congressional delegation, which speaks to his strong track record of working across the aisle to get things done.
 
“Once again, congratulations to all of you on your nominations to these very important offices, and thank you for your willingness to serve.”
 
 

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