Congressman Mike Lawler of New York and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri have reintroduced the HUD Accountability Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation mandates that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide annual testimony before Congress, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability amid a persistent housing affordability crisis.
The bill requires the HUD Secretary to testify annually for five years before both the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. The testimony will cover several critical areas: progress in addressing affordable housing and homelessness, the condition and performance of HUD programs including public housing, oversight efforts against waste, fraud, and abuse, financial status of FHA’s mortgage insurance funds, departmental capacity to fulfill its statutory mission, among other agency operations.
Congressman Lawler emphasized the need for consistent oversight due to rising housing costs affecting families nationwide. “With families in New York and across the country being crushed by skyrocketing housing costs, Congress needs to take this crisis seriously,” he stated. He highlighted previous gaps in appearances by HUD Secretaries as unacceptable.
Lawler also noted his past efforts to address these issues locally through congressional field hearings in Rockland County. He reiterated his commitment to improving HUD oversight for greater transparency.
Congressman Cleaver echoed these sentiments on bipartisanship and transparency. “Whether a Republican or Democratic administration,” he said, “it is imperative that the people’s representatives have an opportunity to provide oversight.” Cleaver expressed pride in supporting this legislation previously and looks forward to working with Lawler again on reducing housing costs.
Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District just north of New York City. Known for his bipartisan approach, he was recognized as one of the most effective freshman lawmakers in recent Congress sessions.
