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House panel plans FHFA oversight hearing, invites Watt to testify

WASHINGTON — The House Financial Services Committee is scheduling a hearing next month to look into allegations of waste, fraud and abuse at the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The hearing is planned for “no later than” Sept. 27 and Fannie Mae Chief Executive Timothy Mayopoulus and FHFA Director Mel Watt “will be invited to testify,” according to a press release from Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Ann Wagner, R-Mo.

The scheduling of the hearing comes in the wake of an investigation into Watt over sexual harassment allegations, as well as a court ruling that the agency’s structure is unconstitutional.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling
Representative Jeb Hensarling, a Republican from Texas and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, questions Jerome Powell, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve, not pictured, during a hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018. Powell said the central bank can continue gradually raising interest rates as the outlook for growth remains strong, and the recent bout of financial volatility shouldn't weigh on the U.S. economy. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Last month a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said the court’s single-director structure improperly stops President Trump from firing the head of the agency unless there is cause.

Soon after, Politico reported that there were allegations Watt made inappropriate sexual advances toward an employee. Watt has denied he did anything illegal.

Additionally, there is a report alleging that the FHFA's inspector general, Laura Wertheimer, attempted to undercut the investigation because of pressure from Watt.

So far, members of Congress have been silent on the allegations against Watt, an Obama administration holdover whose term at the FHFA expires in January.

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GSEs Housing finance reform GSE reform Jeb Hensarling Mel Watt House Financial Services Committee FHFA Fannie Mae Freddie Mac
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