In a recent series of nominations, President-Elect Joe Biden chose Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) to join his Cabinet as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. She will be the second Black woman to hold the position, and first in the past 40 years.
“When I think about the enormity of the task ahead of us, I am reminded of the book of Matthew, where it is written, ‘Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the son of man has no place to lay his head,’” Fudge said. “There is dignity and there is grace within every woman, every man, and every child in this nation, including those who live on the outskirts of hope, those who work hard but still struggle to make it work and those who have no place to lay their head. It is one of the highest responsibilities of our government to see them, to see their dignity and to lift them up.”
Fudge has served in Congress since 2008, and has experience on the Committees on House Administration, Agriculture, and Education and Labor, in addition to being former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. Before coming to Capitol Hill, she was the first woman mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio.
She is expected to continue advancing affordable housing efforts along with other components of a strong safety net, especially given the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
“Perhaps most importantly of all, we will help people believe once again, that their government cares about them no matter who they are. That we understand their problems. As the president-elect often recalls his father’s words, I am honored to have this chance to help restore the people’s faith, to deliver for them and make them proud and to build back better alongside this dedicated team,” Fudge said.
Fudge also previously served as national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, composed of predominantly Black female college students and alumni.
“I know from this day how powerful the Deltas are. You think I’m kidding, I’m not,” Biden teased.
“I might add, you could do many jobs beyond the one I’m asking you to do,” Biden said when introducing Fudge. “But I think the job I’m asking you to do, Congresswoman, is critically important to everything that the vice president and I believe is how we’re going to build back better.”