Republicans Put Brakes On Sebelius' Nomination
The Kansas governor had been approved by the Senate Finance Committee last Tuesday, and some expected her to be confirmed this week. But when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called for a full Senate vote, his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, objected. McConnell cited the reservations of members of the Senate Finance Committee as his motivation for halting Sebelius' nomination, according to the Associated Press.
Some Republicans have previously objected to Sebelius' support for abortion rights and for her alleged failure to properly report campaign contributions that she received from a doctor who performs abortions, The Washington Post reports.
Reid will need 60 votes to get the nomination moving again, something the Democrats say shouldn't be a problem. But the process will likely take another week.
"We're confident there will be the 60 votes needed to confirm her," a spokesman for Reid told the Post.