Hood Nomination to Senate, May Wait in Line for Committee Time

WASHINGTON-On May 10, the White House announced that it sent the nomination of Rodney E. Hood to the NCUA Board to the Senate. The Senate Banking Committee will first hold a hearing and then send a recommendation on to the full Senate, but the timing of any hearing is up in the air. CUNA Vice President for Legislative Affairs and Senior Legislative Counsel Gary Kohn commented, ".this is not a top priority for the Senate Banking Committee." noting that a few higher profile nominations for spots in the Treasury Department are in line ahead of Hood. The nomination is for the seat vacated by former NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar, which runs only until April 10, 2009, because more than two years of the full six-year term have passed since Dollar's term ended. Many had speculated that the administration would wait and appoint a Republican nominee to NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz' seat, which will carry a full term when hers expires in August. A recess appointment, which could allow Hood to wait out Matz' term while serving on the board, is still a possibility but credit union lobbying sources were not interested in speculating on it. Hood is currently serving as the associate administrator of the Rural Housing Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also has a background in community development banking and insurance.