Shelby Seeks Vote on OFHEO Nominee

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is trying to arrange a committee vote to approve the controversial nomination of Mark Brickell to be director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight before Congress adjourns this year."We are working to schedule a vote on Brickell's nomination," committee spokesman Andrew Gray said. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., has raised serious objections to the Wall Street executive's nomination to become the primary supervisor of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But it is unclear whether the ranking Democrat on the committee will block Brickell's confirmation. Chairman Shelby also wants the committee to vote on two other nominations: Thomas Curry, to be a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board of directors; and Alicia Castaneda, to be a member of the Federal Housing Finance Board. "We would like to move them out of committee prior to the end of the year," the spokesman said. Senate leaders would like to adjourn before Thanksgiving, but the session may run into December.