Three Republican members of the Senate Banking Committee voted in favor of the nomination of Joseph A. Smith, Jr., to direct the Federal Housing Finance Agency today. The remaining six Republicans on the committee voted against the nomination, and Judd Gregg of New Hampshire was not present. Senators Bob Bennett of Utah, Bob Corker of Tennessee, and Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas joined 13 Democrats in favor of Smith, currently North Carolina’s bank commissioner. The whole Senate will now vote to approve Smith, who, if confirmed, will direct the agency chiefly responsible for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.