Both Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey Vote Against Ben Carson’s Confirmation

The neurosurgeon is now in charge of the nation's public housing.

Photo via Elizabeth Warren on Twitter

Photo via Elizabeth Warren on Twitter

The Senate voted 58-41 Thursday morning to confirm Dr. Ben Carson as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Despite her controversial vote in committee to advance Carson’s nomination, Elizabeth Warren voted no, as did her colleague Ed Markey.

Upon drawing the ire of progressives for voting in favor of Carson just days after appearing at the Boston Women’s March, Warren explained in a Facebook post that the neurosurgeon with zero government experience made her a series of “good, detailed promises” on anti-homelessness programs and fair housing law enforcement that encouraged her.

“Can we count on Dr. Carson to keep those promises? I don’t know,” Warren said. “People are right to be skeptical; I am. But a man who makes written promises gives us a toehold on accountability. If President Trump goes to his second choice, I don’t think we will get another HUD nominee who will even make these promises—much less follow through on them.”

Six Senate Democrats voted in favor of Carson: Sherrod Brown, Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, Mark Warner, and Joe Donnelly.