Ben Carson's Nomination To Run HUD Approved by Senate Committee

Ben Carson's nomination to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development has been approved by the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee, moving to the Senate floor for final confirmation.

Carson, a retired neurosurgeon and former Republican candidate for president, testified before the committee earlier this month. Having no prior experience in government, Carson's was viewed as an odd choice to run the department and he reportedly himself felt that he was not qualified to run a federal agency.

At his hearing, he pointed to his personal experience growing up with a single mother and facing financial uncertainty as relevant to the role.

It wasn't all smooth sailing at Carson's hearing. Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked about a potential conflict of interest, seeking reassurance from Carson that not a single taxpayer dollar would benefit President Donald Trump or his family, Carson said he was driven by morals and values and would not play favorites for anyone. Warren pressed again, making Carson fumble his words and say it would not be his intention to do anything to benefit any American, before continuing "it's for all Americans, everything that we do."

The department that Carson will head is charged with providing affordable housing for low-income residents. As detailed in CNN Money, Carson will inherit an agency that is in crisis that has seen a decrease in funding.

On Monday, Trump's appointment for Secretary of State, former Exxon CEO Rex Tilleson, was confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations committee and Mike Pompeo, was approved by the Senate to be director of the CIA. Also on Tuesday, Trump's picks for transportation secretary and secretary of commerce were both approved by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Cody Fenwick contributed to this report

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons