Just two days after approving landmark legislation aimed at easing the housing crisis, a Senate panel gave every indication that it will act quickly on President Bush’s pick to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Steven C. Preston, nominated to be HUD secretary, received bipartisan compliments Thursday from members of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee for his work as administrator of the Small Business Administration.

The panel’s questions for Preston ranged from the housing crisis to the lack of transparency in HUD.

“I don’t want to get into the weeds on this issue, but the department could use a lift,” said panel Chairman Christopher J. Dodd , D-Conn. “There are investigations into a number of allegations of impropriety at the highest levels, which has not only demoralized the staff, but has cast a rather large shadow over the entire agency. We want to see that stopped.”

Preston, who has led the Small Business Association since 2006, would replace Alphonso R. Jackson , who resigned his post March 31 amid allegations of improper business dealings and cronyism.

Dodd said the panel would vote on Preston’s nomination sometime after the Memorial Day recess.

At HUD, Preston would be a key player in efforts by the Bush administration — and Congress — to slow the subprime lending crisis and keep families in their homes. Both the House and Senate have spent the last month working through legislation that would expand the authority of the Federal Housing Administration, which falls under HUD, to address the mortgage crisis.

“You can expect, that if I’m confirmed, I’m going to be at the table working with you all,” Preston said.