Senate confirms Carson, Perry for housing, energy posts

Two of President Donald Trump's former rivals for the GOP White House nomination won Senate confirmation Thursday to join his administration.Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was confirmed as secretary of the Department of House and Urban Development on a vote of 58-41. A few hours later, the Senate backed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to be energy secretary, 62-37.Carson and Perry are the 17th and 18th of Trump's 22 Cabinet and Cabinet-level nominations to win Senate approval.Carson has never held