[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Eric Turner

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, the Senate is soon going to vote on the 
confirmation of Scott Turner to be the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development.
  He grew up in Texas and dreamed of a career playing in the National 
Football League. He achieved not just that dream but a great deal more. 
He used his platform as a player to help others achieve their own 
dreams. These leadership qualities are fundamental to who Scott is. 
They are going to serve him well as the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development.
  Scott also has extensive experience in State government and the 
Federal Government. After playing in the NFL, he served his community 
in the Texas legislature. In 2019, he oversaw investments in 
opportunity zones under President Trump. In that role, he secured more 
than $50 billion in private investments for over 8,700 economically 
distressed communities. These investments helped to revitalize many 
forgotten communities.
  Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is now the chairman of the 
Banking Committee, created these opportunity zones in the Tax Cuts and 
Jobs Act of 2017. Scott Turner was instrumental in their success. He is 
the right man to help restore opportunity now. He is going to put his 
experience and his leadership skills to work for the American people, 
and I strongly support his nomination.