HOUSTON, Texas–U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined 17 other Republicans in voting for the confirmation of San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). U.S. Senator Ted Cruz joined 25 other Republicans in voting against the confirmation.
The official vote for confirmation was 71-26 with three abstentions. The Republican abstention came from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA).
Cornyn did not just vote yes for Castro–he helped guide the nomination through the Senate. He made an introductory speech for Castro before the nomination hearing last month. “Many Texans are reassured by Mayor Castro’s example that the American dream is still very much alive,” Cornyn said according to a post in the Dallas Morning News.
President Barrack Obama apparently agreed with Sen. Cornyn. In a statement quoted in an article by Jon Prior on Politico.com, President Obama said, “Julián has lived the American dream in his own life, and I’m confident he will help Americans across our country seize their own piece of that dream for themselves and their children.”
Sen. Cruz, on the other hand, held his cards much closer to the vest in regards to the Castro nomination. Cruz told Breitbart Texas, “I respect Mayor Castro but share the concerns my colleagues voiced in his nomination hearing. Specifically, questions regarding the use of eminent domain by local municipalities, FHA loans, and the federal enforcement of local zoning and housing laws were not sufficiently answered. We need a HUD Secretary who will help wind down our government’s heavy hand in housing, not simply further the President’s regulatory agenda. Despite our differences in policy, I am committed to working in good faith with the mayor in his new role and wish him all the best.”
Senator Cruz went on to vote no after evaluating the merits of the nomination.
Breitbart Texas reported on May 26th, that President Obama had nominated Julian Castro to be the next HUD Secretary despite allegation that his city (San Antonio) in spite of allegations of misuse of HUD funds.
Castro is expected to be sworn in by President Obama shortly and the San Antonio City Council will pick a replacement to succeed Castro as mayor. A date for the special session of Council to select a new mayor has not been setaccording to the San Antonio Express-News.
Bob Price is a staff writer and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.
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