Senate confirms retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson as housing secretary

The next Trump administration Cabinet nominee up for a vote in the Senate is celebrated neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Approval is expected when senators vote Thursday on President Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Carson has no government or housing policy experience, and Democrats were critical early on about his credentials. Despite that, he won unanimous support in a Senate committee vote in January. On Wednesday, Carson cleared a Senate hurdle when lawmakers voted, 62-37, to move his nomination to a final vote.

Also Wednesday, Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke won Senate confirmation as President Donald Trump's Interior secretary. With his approval, the Senate has confirmed 16 out of 22 of Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-level nominations.

Carson, 65, has been praised by Republicans for his inspiring life story, growing up poor, defying odds and becoming a renowned surgeon. After expressing concerns about his lack of housing experience, Democrats welcomed his promises to address lead hazards in housing, homelessness and other issues.

The department Carson would lead has more than 8,000 employees and a budget of about $47 billion. The agency provides billions of dollars in housing assistance to low-income people through vouchers and public housing. It also enforces fair housing laws and offers mortgage insurance to poorer Americans through the Federal Housing Administration, part of HUD.

[KERR/Associated Press]