by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Yesterday afternoon, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a position that may allow her to inject her strident pro-abortion views into the nation’s health care system.
Gov. Sebelius was confirmed by a 65-31 vote, with 60 votes needed for confirmation. Democrats used the swine flu epidemic as a reason to rush the vote on Sebelius so that she could get to work on the new public health emergency.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an organization that works to help pro-life women get elected to public office, says the disappointing confirmation helped to focus the nation’s attention on the radical pro-abortion position of the Obama administration.
“Together we fought long and hard against Sebelius and we should be proud of our efforts,” Dannenfelser said. “Many Senators were encouraged to speak in defense of Life on the Senate floor while debating this nomination. We can find some solace in knowing that our fight against Kathleen Sebelius’ nomination has brought more attention to Obama’s nominees and their radical pro-abortion agenda, and has activated more pro-life Americans to join us in this fight.”
She vows to fight on, mentioning the need to continue raising opposition to Obama’s pick to head the Office of Legal Counsel, Dawn Johnsen, who once referred to pregnant women as “fetal containers.”
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, expressed dismay over the confirmation.
“Some Republicans have apparently been swayed by the argument that as bad as this appointment is, President Obama would simply come back with someone equally objectionable if her confirmation was denied. Certainly he has done so with other sensitive appointments, like his choices for Ambassador to the Vatican- several of whom have been rejected because of their extreme abortion views-with no end in sight.”
He also commended the tens of thousands of people who flooded Senate offices with e-mails and phone calls urging them to vote no on the controversial “Catholic” governor.
“Considering the country’s revulsion for late-term abortions, it should be toxic for anyone to associate with a man like George Tiller,” Perkins said. “It is even more reprehensible that our President would elevate such a person to a leadership post at the largest government agency.”
He has also vowed to fight on. ” . . . (H)er confirmation does not bring this fight to an end. The public outcry against this nomination has been strong and growing and it will continue to build. We will work to ensure that health care ‘reform’ is not infected with Sebelius’s pro-abortion views. The American people will not accept public funding of abortion as ‘health care’ or the crushing of conscience rights, which will drive medical personnel from their fields.”
A post in the Obama administration will help pro-life efforts in Kansas if only by removing Sebelius from office. It will also mean she will not run for Senate in 2010, where she was seen as a leading contender for the seat of pro-life Sen. Sam Brownback, who is expected to run for governor.
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