The full Senate will vote on theconfirmation of Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) as FHFA director next week,according to several reports on Friday.

Sources told Credit Union Times that the vote would beheld this coming Tuesday, Dec. 10.

In October, Republicans successfully blocked Watt's confirmation from advancing in the Senate.

Reacting to the vote, Senate Banking Committee Chairman TimJohnson (D-S.D.) said Watt was blocked simply because he's a politician.

“It is not a secret that this vote was pure obstructionistpolitics at play,” Johnson said then.

“The last FHFA nominee, North Carolina's Insurance CommissionerJoe Smith, a technocrat, was also denied a vote. Now,Congressman Watt is being blocked because he is a 'politician,'never mind the fact that he has worked on housing policy for 21years as a member of the House Financial Services Committee,” theSouth Dakota senator said.

Last month, Senate Democrats voted to overturn a rule thatrequired 60 votes to stop a filibuster that prevented a floor voteon presidential nominees.

Under the new rules, 51 votes would be enough to overcome afilibuster.

Jim Blaine, president/CEO of the $26 billion State Employees'Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., told Credit Union Timesthat he supports Watt as FHFA director.

“Mel Watt will be a fair, balanced leader for the Office ofHousing Finance. He is a highly respected, seasoned congressmanwith an exceptional background in banking and finance through hislong service on the House Financial Services Committee. His N.C.congressional district encompasses the headquarters of (Bank ofAmerica in Charlotte), but he's always been open to hearing theconcerns of both credit unions and community banks,” Blainesaid.

“Our credit union would like to see the future role of Fannie,Freddie and the 30-year fixed rate mortgage greatly diminished inthe national and local mortgage market,” Blaine continued.

“Those are not ideas with which Congressman Watt generallyagrees, but we know he will attempt to consider all views and seeksolutions that are in the long term best interests of consumers.Doesn't hurt that he's also a Yale lawyer with a sense of humor –that really is a unique combination,” the SECU leader said.

John McKechnie, partner at the Washington-based advocacy andstrategy firm Total Spectrum, noted that for a relativelylittle-known agency, FHFA has a significant amount of authority toaffect the housing finance system.

“It will be interesting to see what kind of approach CongressmanWatt will bring to the table,” he said.

The office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) did notreturn a request for comment.

Edward DeMarco has been serving as acting director.