HUD Secretary Refuses to Denounce Supporters of Defunding the Police

Press Release

During today's House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) pressed the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Marcia Fudge, on whether or not she would support HUD nominees who advocated for defunding the police.

Sec. Fudge refused to criticize any nominee who supports defunding the police.

The transcript of the exchange is below:

Budd: "I understand that three HUD nominees are on record for supporting defund the police efforts. Is that something that you would support? Nominees who support defunding the police?"

Fudge: "First off, I don't know that that's accurate cause I don't know."

Budd: "We're still getting details on that, but if that were to come up and they were on record for supporting defunding the police, is that something where you would support their nomination?"

Fudge: "That is not my decision sir. That is the decision of the U.S. Senate."

Budd: "So you would not weigh in on that, if that were something they were supportive of?"
Fudge: "I would not weigh in."
Rep. Budd said in a statement after the hearing:

"It is deeply troubling that the HUD Secretary could not bring herself to criticize a potential nominee who supports the radical and dangerous defund the police movement. Taking resources away from police makes all communities less safe. No nominee for a federal position should hold these views. The U.S. Senate should thoroughly investigate and reject any nominee who supports defunding the police."

Source