Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Issues Statement on the Nomination of Congressman Melvin Watt

SAN FRANCISCO -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the following statement on President Obama’s nomination of Congressman Melvin ‘Mel’ Watt as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA):

“I commend President Obama on his nomination of Congressman Melvin 'Mel' Watt as director of the FHFA.

As Californians work to recover from the mortgage crisis, they need a strong director at FHFA who will be an advocate for homeowners and champion their rights.

My number one priority has always been the welfare of Californians, and I am confident that Congressman Watt will advance policies that serve the best interest of working families in California and across the country.  I look forward to working with him.”

Attorney General Harris has long advocated for strong leadership at FHFA (http://huff.to/vOUGuX). She has urged the agency to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce mortgage debt for underwater California borrowers (http://nyti.ms/yOJkEH) and has served subpoenas and filed lawsuits against the companies seeking information regarding their mortgage practices (http://reut.rs/rWxTZl).