Tanya Otsuka’s nomination for the NCUA Board has made significant progress towards confirmation. Otsuka received approval from the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee last week.

If confirmed by the full Senate, Otsuka, currently senior counsel for the committee’s majority staff, will replace Rodney Hood. Hood’s term expired in August but remains in office until a successor is confirmed.

It’s not clear when a confirmation vote would take place, but if approved by the Senate in time for the NCUA’s December Board meeting, Otsuka could vote on the agency’s draft budget. This is important as Otsuka would shift the balance to two board members aligned with Democrats, which includes Board Chair Todd Harper.