Washington, D.C. — Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden issued the following statement today after Sylvia Burwell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS. Burwell was confirmed this afternoon by a vote of 78 to 17.
I want to congratulate Sylvia Burwell on her confirmation as HHS secretary. She has built a reputation as a thoughtful and innovative policy expert with the leadership ability to consistently bring out the best in those who serve with her. These traits will be particularly important as the Affordable Care Act transitions from its initial enrollment period and into the next phase of implementation. As head of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, she ably managed a complex federal agency, skills that will serve her well as she takes the helm of the department in charge of critical programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. The fact that Burwell received strong bipartisan support in such a divided Senate is a testament to the trust she has earned from her colleagues and members of Congress.
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