2009-01-09

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, under the leadership of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), held an initial confirmation hearing on January 8 to consider the nomination of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

During his remarks before the Committee, Daschle noted the importance of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as the "steward of medical and behavioral research for the nation" and stressed his commitment to "strengthen NIH with leadership that focuses on the dual objectives of addressing the health-care challenges of our people and maintaining America’s economic edge through innovation."

Daschle also emphasized President-Elect Obama’s commitment to working in a bipartisan manner with Congress and maintaining an "open, transparent process" while addressing health-care reform.

The HELP Committee did not vote on Daschle’s nomination. The Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Medicare and Medicaid programs, must still hold a confirmation hearing for Daschle and will then vote on whether to send his nomination to the full Senate for final approval. A date for that hearing has not yet been announced.

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