Senate Confirms Burwell as Secretary of Health and Human Services

On June 5, the Senate voted 78-17 to confirm Sylvia Matthews Burwell as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Nominated by President Obama to succeed outgoing HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Burwell is currently Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a position to which she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate last spring. Prior to joining OMB, Burwell was President of the WalMart foundation. She is also a former President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and held various roles during the Clinton administration, including OMB Deputy Director; Chief of Staff to the Treasury Secretary; and Staff Director of the National Economic Council. Brian Deese, OMB Deputy Director, is expected to be named Acting Director after Burwell leaves and until the Senate confirms a new OMB Director.