Politics

THE DOCTOR IS IN: Senate Confirms Ben Carson As HUD Secretary

Chuck Ross Investigative Reporter
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Ben Carson, a renowned neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate, was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday.

The Senate voted 58-41 to confirm the 65-year-old Carson. Six Democrats and one Independent, Maine Sen. Angus King, voted with 51 Republicans on the confirmation.

Carson had a relatively easy path to confirmation, at least compared to other Trump administration nominees. He coasted out of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with unanimous support. His confirmation hearing in January was without controversy, as opposed to the grillings faced by other Trump cabinet nominees.

It is unclear what kind of policies Carson will implement as chief of HUD, which has a budget of nearly $50 billion and oversees issues related to fair housing practices and provides rental assistance to millions.

President Trump offered some vague goals during a tour with Carson at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Carson is the only black member of Trump’s cabinet.

“Ben is going to work with me very, very closely. And HUD has a meaning far beyond housing. If properly done, it’s a meaning that’s as big as anything there is, and Ben will be able to find that true meaning and the true meaning of HUD as its Secretary,” Trump said.

“We’re going to do great things in our African-American communities,” he added.

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