Senate Confirms Sebelius for HHS Secretary
Senate confirms Obama's nominee for HHS post in midst of swine flu emergency.
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2009— -- In the midst of a dangerous flu outbreak, the Senate this evening voted to confirm Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.
The Senate voted 65-31 for Sebelius to take the helm. She will now be sworn into office by the Obama White House.
The high-level federal official, typically front and center for public health emergencies like the swine flu outbreak, was the only remaining top post still unconfirmed nearly 100 days into the Obama presidency.
Debate over Sebelius was a bit drowned out today by pressing pig flu developments and Sen. Arlen Specter's announcement that he is switching parties, but Republicans have expressed frustration with her of late.
Specifically, they have questioned her on abortion rights, which she supports, and her veto last week of a bill in Kansas that would have placed new restrictions on late term abortions. That bill was targeted by Kansas Republicans at a specific doctor, who has given Sebelius campaign donations she did not entirely report.
"I think she's a wonderful lady," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., today on the Senate floor. "But I think she lacks part of the moral clarity that is required to lead this nation in the future and to correct where we're off course on so many issues. Her ability from the start, the first day she's sworn in will be compromised by her position on this issue."
On the other hand, Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was quick to release a statement after the vote applauding her nomination.
"She is an excellent choice to lead HHS and has a proven track record of increasing access to affordable care," Richards said. "As countless women and their families struggle to afford quality health care during these difficult economic times, the need for health care reform that improves health outcomes is immediate."
Some Republicans had also opposed her nomination because of health care reform and the issue of comparative effectiveness, whereby the government studies which medical treatments work best. Some Republicans said that could lead to treatment that is found to not work in the aggregate being denied to a patient who wants it.
Just before the vote began, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said, "I am sad to say I will not be able to support Gov. Sebelius' nomination to Secretary of Health and Human Services" -- despite stating that, "Repulicans and all of us, I believe, want a new Health and Human Services secretary." Cornyn also said he was "concerned that Gov. Sebelius is not up to the challenge" of rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in the health care system.
Still, more lawmakers supported her nomination, including Sen. Mark Warner, who said the swine flu emergency makes her nomination even more pressing.
"It is essential for the health of the nation that President Obama has in place -- and the nation has in place -- a strong Secretary of Health and Human Services to make sure that our federal efforts on this potential pan pandemic are ably coordinated," he said.
