{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301184312/http://butterfield.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=734", "Butterfield Congratulates Charlotte Congressman Mel Watt on Confirmation as FHFA Director", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "NC", "G. Butterfield", "B001251", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC\u2013 Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of veteran lawmaker Congressman Mel Watt as the new Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency:\n\n\t\u201cI congratulate my good friend and fellow North Carolinian Congressman Mel Watt on his confirmation as the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cThis well-earned appointment is a result of his more than twenty years experience as an outspoken leader on both the House Financial Services and the House Judiciary Committees where he worked to stop predatory lending, protect Americans from harmful financial practices, and increase access to affordable housing.\n\n\t\u201cAs a small business owner, attorney, and now as a senior member of Congress, Watt\u2019s entire life\u2019s work has been to create economic opportunity for all Americans.\u00a0 He has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to bring together consumer advocates and industry leaders to bring about much-needed financial reforms.\u00a0 The integral role he played in passing the Dodd-Frank Act is just one of many examples of his commitment to this work.\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cOverall, there is no person more knowledgeable on the housing and financial industries in this Congress than Mel Watt.\u00a0 I have no doubt in his ability to successfully lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency and build upon our nation\u2019s economic recovery.\n\n\t\u201cI applaud Congressman Watt on this great achievement.\u201d\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301184312/http://butterfield.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=22&itemid=734"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.032345160841942, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}