Sims clears Senate hurdle

The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee approved the nomination of King County Executive Ron Sims for a high-ranking job in the Obama administration.

Sims has been nominated for the No. 2 spot at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sen. Patty Murray’s office announced Sims got a unanimous voice vote approval from the committee. He must now get approval of the full Senate, but that vote has not yet been scheduled.