Senate panel recommends Burwell's confirmation as health and human services secretary

Eight Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee joined 13 Democrats to endorse Sylvia Mathews Burwell, who is expected to gain the full Senate's approval, too.  

Los Angeles Times: Senate Panel Oks Sylvia Mathews Burwell As Health Secretary
A Senate panel Wednesday recommended approval of President Obama's pick to oversee implementation of the Affordable Care Act, all but assuring Sylvia Mathews Burwell's confirmation as the next secretary of Health and Human Services. Eight Republicans joined all 13 Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee in endorsing Burwell, who is expected to easily be confirmed when her nomination is considered by the full Senate, likely next month (Levey, 5/21).

The Associated Press: Burwell Gets Committee Approval For Health Post
Burwell, who has served as President Barack Obama's budget chief, would replace outgoing Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who announced her departure last month just as the health law was recovering from the disastrous rollout of HealthCare.gov website to post stronger-than-predicted enrollment numbers. Despite expectations that Burwell's confirmation hearings would become an election-year trial of "Obamacare," there were no fireworks as she won support from senators of both parties (5/21).

The Wall Street Journal: Senate Panel Votes To Confirm Burwell To Run HHS
Ms. Burwell, the current Office of Management and Budget director, was tapped by the Obama administration last month to succeed Kathleen Sebelius to lead HHS. The agency implements the Affordable Care Act and includes Medicare, Medicaid and the Food and Drug Administration, as well as other health programs. Ms. Burwell secured the backing of all Democrats on the committee and most of its Republicans, including ranking member Orrin Hatch of Utah. The three members who opposed her were Republican senators Pat Roberts of Kansas, John Thune of South Dakota and John Cornyn of Texas (Radnofsky, 5/21).

Politico: Sylvia Mathews Burwell Approved By Finance For HHS Post
The vote serves as the latest example of how easily Burwell's nomination is sailing through the Senate despite her chief responsibility: running Obamacare (Haberkorn, 5/21).

The Hill:  Overwhelming Vote For Obama's HHS Nominee
The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday voted 21-3 to approve Sylvia Burwell as the next secretary of the Health and Human Services Department. The overwhelming show of support sends Burwell's nomination to the full Senate, where it could be voted on soon (Al-Faruque, 5/21).