The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved the mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro, as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Wednesday. The House voted 71 in favor to 26 against. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, voted in favor of the designation; while the legislator Ted Cruz, also of that state, voted against. Castro was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama after Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigned.
President Barack Obama had nothing but praise of the Senate's efforts in electing his nominee. "I applaud the bipartisan majority of senators today confirmed the nomination of Julian Castro as our next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development," President Obama said in a statement. "I know by the housing department staff, Julián you extend the progress we've made getting up from the Great Recession." 18 prominent Republicans supported Castro.
The D-San Antonio will serve in Obama's cabinet for the rest of his term, which ends in January 2017. Castro, 39, remains mayor of San Antonio until he resigns. Previously it was reported that Castro would resign after the city council selects an interim mayor in a special session. The council, which is on vacation this month, has not yet set a date for the special meeting. As the LA Times highlights, "Castro becomes the second Latino in Obama's Cabinet, joining Labor Secretary Thomas Perez."
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