Sebelius confirmed to lead Health and Human Services

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius won Senate confirmation Tuesday as the nation's health and human services secretary, thrusting her into the middle of a public health emergency with the swine flu sickening dozens of Americans.

The 65-31 confirmation vote came after Democrats urged quick action so that Sebelius could get to work leading the federal response to the flu outbreak.

"We find ourselves in the midst of a global crisis," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "What we've been missing in all of this is the head of the Health and Human Services Department."

Sixty votes in the 100-seat Senate were necessary for approval. Immediately after the vote Sebelius resigned as governor in Kansas and headed to Washington to get sworn in.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_sebelius_hhs

[ccharles000]

1. good

[BumRushDaShow]

2. "What we've been missing in all of this is the head of the Health and Human Services Department."

Ummm yeah. Duh. And instead of resting on their laurels, it's time to get the rest of the agency heads under HHS confirmed. This should have never been allowed to drag out like it did. I bet if this health emergency hadn't occurred when it did, we would have been still waiting a month later.

[MadMaddie]

4. Agreed! The Repugs just keep kicking themselves in the head

Now we need to get the nominee for the head of the CDC confirmed.

[katmondoo]

3. That is a relief

Did Specter's defection to the Democrats help, I think maybe it did.