Washington – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today praised the 65-31 Senate vote to confirm Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). He released the following statement after the vote:

“As our nation begins to cope with a potential flu pandemic, it is increasingly urgent that the void of senior leadership at HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention be filled quickly.  I congratulate Governor Sebelius on her confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services. She has been a strong public servant for the people of Kansas and has a tremendous reputation for reaching across the aisle to get things done.  I know that she will be a robust advocate for the health and welfare of all Americans, particularly the 46 million who lack health insurance.

“We have a President who has put health care reform at the top of his agenda.  I look forward to working with Governor Sebelius as Congress, in partnership with the Obama Administration, begins to craft universal health care legislation, and strengthen the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs, which together provide coverage for more than 100 million Americans.    

“As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I also intend to work closely with Governor Sebelius to restore adequate funding to the National Institutes of Health, based on Maryland, which saw crippling budgets under the previous administration, and to develop policies that address workforce shortages and health disparities.”