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Senate Confirms Sebelius as Health Secretary

By the Associated Press

Posted Apr 28, 2009 6:00 PM CDT
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(AP) – Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius won Senate confirmation today to serve as the nation's health and human services secretary. She already has a public health emergency on her hands with the swine flu sickening dozens of Americans. The 65-31 vote came after Democrats urged quick action so Sebelius could get to work leading the federal response to the flu outbreak.

Republican opponents cited Sebelius' pro-abortion stances and raised concerns about whether the Obama administration's plans to overhaul the nation's health system would lead to rationing of care. Sebelius was the final Obama Cabinet pick awaiting confirmation. "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," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill on April 1.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill on April 1.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in March.
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in March.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
In a March 2 file photo, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
In a March 2 file photo, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds/file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
oldgoat
Apr 29, 2009 8:15 AM CDT
The position is far more than about abortion or not. However I don't think that the position should be held by someone that wants to limit birth control, stem cell research or block completely all abortions.
inky
Apr 29, 2009 5:49 AM CDT
Can she stop swine flu? Is that her job?
Snarfeh
Apr 29, 2009 1:19 AM CDT
What do anti-abortionists do with or for all the orphans in our country? Nothing. That's why we still have so many orphans. What did anti-abortionists do with all the stem cells created by rich white Republicans trying to have a child during the Bush regime? Nothing. That's why stem cells were tossed in the trash during the Bush regime instead of used for finding cures to diseases.

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