Senate confirms Sebelius to lead HHS

Despite conservative concerns over the Kansas governor's position on abortion, the Senate easily confirmed her as the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

Published April 28, 2009 10:25PM (EDT)

After President Obama nominated her to be secretary of Health and Human Services, the right gave Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius a lot of grief. Her position on abortion -- and her ties to a controversial doctor in her home state, George Tiller -- prompted fierce opposition from social conservatives, while her potential role in the Obama administration made her an enticing target from conservatives who oppose the president's plan for health care reform.

Conservatives did succeed in delaying Sebelius' confirmation to her post, but failed to do her nomination any more damage than that. The Senate voted Tuesday evening to confirm Sebelius, and by a comfortable margin -- 65-31 -- meaning she got five more votes than necessary to overcome a Republican filibuster.

For more on Sebelius' nomination, and the fight against it, see Katharine Mieszkowski's post in Broadsheet from earlier today.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

War Room