Sebelius Confirmed as Secretary of HHS
Updated 6:26 p.m.
By Shailagh Murray, Washington Post
The
Senate approved the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of
Health and Human Services, filling the final seat in President Obama's Cabinet
on the eve of his 100th day in office.
Democrats had sought a quick vote on the Kansas governor as Congress moves
ahead with health-care reform this summer, but Republicans slowed Sebelius's
advancement because of her record in favor of abortion rights. GOP procedural
objections faded with the recent outbreak of swine flu and the threat of a
global pandemic. Sebelius was confirmed by a 65-31 vote this afternoon.
"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 HHS to make sure our
federal efforts on this potential pandemic are able to coordinate," said Sen.
Mark Warner (D-Va.).
Sebelius, 60, was a prominent early Obama supporter
who was elected twice in a conservative heartland state. Democratic leaders were
openly courting the popular governor, who is limited by Kansas law to two terms,
to run for the Senate in 2010 to succeed conservative GOP Sen. Sam Brownback,
who has entered the race to succeed Sebelius. But Sebelius accepted the HHS post
after former senator Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) withdrew from consideration following
questions about his tax returns.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), who is leading the
Senate's health-care reform effort, cited Sebelius's success in a Republican
state as vital experience to building support for the legislation across party
lines. "Governor Sebelius' record shows that she approaches problems from all
sides. She is prepared to try creative solutions. She is forward-thinking. She's
willing to work with everyone," Baucus said on the Senate floor.
But Republicans criticized the governor's support for abortion rights and her
ties to a Wichita doctor who performs abortions and who has contributed to her
political campaigns. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) [fixed; thanks, nero2! -- ed.]
called Sebelius's record on the issue "a fatal character flaw that should have
disqualified her" from the HHS job.
Brownback, an ardent opponent of abortion right, supported Sebelius's
nomination, as did Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.), a Republican who announced earlier
today that he was becoming a Democrat.
Posted at 6:29 PM ET on Apr 28, 2009