what steps they might be willing to take to provide some assurances to the committee dealing with respa and other matters. i don't believe forcing this on the committee -- i'd like the consultation advice of my colleagues as well on a matter like this rather just bringing up a matter -- i always like on these matters where we can to have a bipartisan support for a nominee. and particularly there's an outstanding issue. we're all aware of what can happen. it sounds fine but six months, a year from now something pops up and obvious questions, well, you had some idea this might happen. why did you go forward? i'm not sure that should always be the standard but nonetheless that's sort of where we are, bob, on this one. do you have any comments on this, mel? >> i'd just say i'd talked to the hud secretary and i think he'd gone out of his way to alleviate those. and base on what i know about the case and we're going to do more diligence but we wouldn't have anybody serve on the administration, maybe in any other body -- i mean, these are not to him personally to my knowledge but in any event

. >> there is a hud investigation going on, as i understand it, from staff dealing with respa and in some of the companies, we do not know if he is involved. we're waiting to see what comes out of the investigation. my interest is making sure that all nominees feel like he will be ok. we want to make sure. we're waiting for a little more information before i agree. >> let me say, i do not know mr. stevens personally. he comes highly recommended it. when people are knowledgeable -- we have all talked about him. he has come recommended highly. senator shelby points out some issues that the committee cannot ignore in the midst of all this. i have talked the secretary about the nominee and what steps we are willing to take for assurances of the committee. i did not believe in necessary -- necessarily voicing this on the committee. i like to have bipartisan support for a nominee. we're all aware of what can happen. six months from now, something could pop up. i am not sure -- that is or where we are on this. any comments you like to make? >> i think he has gone out of his way to try to al