[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 25, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2695]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Todd M. Harper

  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support Todd Harper's 
nomination. He came out of my and Senator Smith's and the Presiding 
Officer Senator Ossoff's committee to be Chairman of the National 
Credit Union Administration.
  Mr. Harper is an experienced regulator. He has the background, 
knowledge, and leadership experience to safeguard the credit union 
system, a very important component of our financial system, and to 
protect millions of credit union members.
  We know that credit unions, more than Wall Street banks, really look 
out for the little guy and regular people and people who are, you know, 
mostly solidly middle class or aspiring to the middle class.
  A career public servant with midwestern roots, Todd Harper 
understands the vital role that credit unions play in local 
communities, especially rural and underserved communities.
  Being the first openly gay leader of any Federal financial regulatory 
Agency, the first NCUA career staff member to serve on the NCUA Board, 
he brings a vitally important perspective. We know that prior to this 
President taking over and my becoming chair of the Banking, Housing, 
and Urban Affairs Committee, we know most of the Federal regulators 
look like me and walk like Wall Street. Those days are behind us. 
Another reason for Todd Harper's nomination to NCUA.
  Throughout his career as an NCUA Board member and Chair, he has 
worked with both parties. He has worked for advocates and industry to 
strengthen credit unions to fight for consumers. In 2019, the Senate 
confirmed Mr. Harper by voice vote to the three-member NCUA Board. In 
2021, President Biden designated him as Chair.
  As Chair of the NCUA, he has worked with his fellow Board members to 
advance bipartisan efforts on important issues facing credit unions and 
their members, like digital assets and emergency capital investment.
  Prior to serving on the Board, he was Director of the Office of 
Public and Congressional Affairs. He was Chief Policy Advisor to former 
Chairs Deborah Matz and Rick Metsger.
  Mr. Harper previously served as a staffer in the House of 
Representatives, as staff director for the Subcommittee on Capital 
Markets.
  If confirmed, he will continue to work collaboratively. It is what we 
ask him to do, to represent all taxpayers to ensure that our credit 
union system is safe, sound, and works for all its members.
  Mr. President, I encourage my colleagues to support the nomination of 
Todd Harper.
  I yield the floor.