[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 1, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1513-S1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the nomination.
  The legislative clerk read the nomination of Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., 
of Florida, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I applaud my colleagues for voting in favor 
of cloture on the nomination of Dr. Benjamin Carson to be the next 
Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  On January 12, the Senate Banking Committee held its confirmation 
hearing, and Dr. Carson responded to questions and concerns thoroughly 
and thoughtfully. Dr. Benjamin Carson was unanimously reported out of 
the Senate Banking Committee on January 24.
  To many Americans, Dr. Carson needs no introduction; however, his 
impressive resume bears repeating. Dr. Carson was raised by a single 
mother in an impoverished part of the city of Detroit. He attended Yale 
University and the University of Michigan Medical School and later 
became a highly accomplished and respected neurosurgeon. Dr. Carson was 
named director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 
1984, at the age of 33--the youngest such director in the Nation.

  He gained national fame in the 1980s by becoming the first doctor to 
lead an operation that separated twins who were conjoined at the head--
one of many high-profile operations led by Dr. Carson. He also ran for 
President this past election and spent months traveling the country, 
listening to the American people about the problems and the issues they 
face with respect to housing.
  During his testimony before our committee, Dr. Carson highlighted his 
commitment to carrying forth the

[[Page S1514]]

mandate of HUD and to learning more from the people who are directly 
affected by HUD policies. He has also received bipartisan letters of 
support from four former HUD Secretaries--Henry Cisneros, former 
Senator Mel Martinez, Alphonso Jackson, and Steven Preston--who served 
under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
  He has said he plans to continue his conversation with the American 
people and do a listening tour if confirmed. This is an encouraging 
sign that Dr. Carson wants to hear from stakeholders and, more 
importantly, from the American people.
  There are many HUD issues to be addressed. Once confirmed, we can 
begin working on several important issues under HUD's jurisdiction. 
Streamlining requirements for local public housing authorities, 
revising certain public housing programs, and strengthening financing 
for small and rural affordable housing developments are areas that 
should be addressed. Tackling homelessness, especially among our 
Nation's veterans, is another issue that is important to me and should 
be addressed.
  It is critical that HUD allow local communities to craft solutions 
that work best for their needs. There has been bipartisan interest in 
several of these reforms over the years, and I am confident we can make 
progress once Dr. Carson is confirmed.
  Dr. Carson has consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving 
the lives of his fellow Americans, and his intellect, leadership, and 
life experiences are unique, valuable assets for leading an agency like 
HUD.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in support of Dr. Carson's nomination so 
we can continue the great work of improving America's housing system.
  Senator Cornyn very graciously gave me his time, which he was lined 
up to take first. He has asked if he could take his time at this point.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Cornyn be next 
allowed to speak.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The majority whip.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, the Chamber is too slowly moving forward 
on the President's Cabinet nominees. So far, this Chamber has confirmed 
16 Cabinet nominees since January 20. I would note that the most recent 
nominee, Secretary Zinke, was confirmed by a vote of 68 to 31 and that 
Wilbur Ross, Secretary of Commerce, was confirmed by a vote of 72 to 
27.
  Why have we burned 5 weeks of this new administration and denied the 
President the staff and the help and the team he needs in order to lead 
the country? It makes no sense whatsoever.
  I, once again, implore our friends on the other side of the aisle to 
stop the foot-dragging and the delay for delay's sake and to let the 
President have his Cabinet.