Late Tuesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as the new Health and Human Services Cabinet Secretary.  The Senate approved the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius to head the Department of Health and Human Services, filling the final seat in President Obama’s Cabinet on the eve of his 100th day in office.

Democrats had sought a quick vote on the Kansas governor as Congress moves ahead with health-care reform this summer, but Republicans slowed Sebelius’s advancement because of her record in favor of abortion rights. GOP procedural objections faded with the recent outbreak of swine flu and the threat of a global pandemic. Sebelius was confirmed by a 65-31 vote this afternoon.

“It is essential for the health of the nation that President Obama has in place, and the nation has in place, a strong secretary of HHS to make sure our federal efforts on this potential pandemic are able to coordinate,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.). 

Sebelius will vacate her seat as governor of Kansas changing the total number of women governors to seven.  

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