 On January 24, 2017, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs voted unanimously to approve the nomination.On March 2, 2017, Carson was confirmed by the Senate by a 58–41 vote.On March 6, his first day as secretary, while addressing Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees, Carson saluted the work ethic of immigrants, and during his comments likened slaves to involuntary immigrants.