A little earlier today, the United States Senate confirmed Kathleen Sebelius, the current governor of Kansas, as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services. The vote was sixty five to thirty one.
Northwest senators split exactly along party lines.
Republicans Lisa Murkowski, Mike Crapo, and Jim Risch voted against Sebelius’ nomination. Voting in favor were Democrats Mark Begich, Max Baucus, Maria Cantwell, Jeff Merkley, Patty Murray, Jon Tester, and Ron Wyden.
Newly minted “Democrat” Arlen Specter also voted for Sebelius.
Republicans supporting her nomination were George Voinovich of Ohio, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, Kit Bond of Missouri, and Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback of Kansas.