Clinton Expected to Name Wife Of Ex-Congressman to NCUA

Clinton for a seat on the National Credit Union Administration board, according to sources close to the selection process. The wife of former Rep. Alan Wheat, D-Mo., would replace NCUA director Robert Swan, whose term expired in August. The White House had not made an official announcement on the appointment by Wednesday's press deadlines, but Washington sources said it was expected soon. "I haven't seen anything official so I'll reserve comment," Ms. Wheat said in an interview Tuesday. Ms. Wheat's husband was a congressman from 1982 to 1994, when he lost a bid for the Senate to Missouri's then- governor, Republican John Ashcroft. If Ms. Wheat is appointed, the White House is expected to try to hurry the nomination through the Senate this year, for fear Republicans will sit on nominations next year, an election year. A Harvard Law School graduate, Ms. Wheat has represented financial institutions for firms in Los Angeles, Washington, and Kansas City, Mo. Sources said a big factor in her appointment was her husband's loyalty to President Clinton. Mr. Wheat was one of the few Democrats who asked the President to campaign for him during his failed senatorial bid. Ms. Wheat also was backed by some state-level industry trade associations, including the California Credit Union League. Also, Ms. Wheat is an African-American, and the White House has tried to promote diversity in its appointments.