Senate Confirms Sylvia Burwell, Sebelius’ Replacement to HHS

On Thursday afternoon the Senate voted to confirm Sylvia Mathews Burwell as the incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services, replacing Kathleen Sebelius after a dramatic tenure that included an historically disastrous launch of the federal health care exchange website along with a significant expansion of health coverage.

Despite what many feared would be a difficult and protracted battle over Burwell’s nomination in which vast portions of the Affordable Care Act would be relitigated, she was fairly quietly confirmed 78-17.

RELATED: Kathleen Sebelius’ Legacy Gets a First Draft

Upon Burwell’s nomination, the initial reaction was to read her as a kind of anti-Sebelius, a stronger manager where Sebelius’ expertise was health policy. She had previously worked as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, a position to which she was confirmed by the Senate 98-0.

[Image via Larry Downing / Reuters]

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