(CNN) - The Obama administration is up against its first public health outbreak without a secretary of health and human services, but that could change with a Senate vote expected as early as Tuesday on the confirmation of Kathleen Sebelius.
If confirmed, Sebelius would take office as swine flu numbers climb worldwide. As of Tuesday morning, at least 90 cases have been confirmed, including 50 in the United States.
The White House, which declared a public health emergency Sunday, has insisted that it is equipped to handle the situation.
"I think this notion somehow that if there's not currently a secretary, that there's not the function that needs to take place in order to prepare for either this or any other situation is just simply not the case," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
From CNN Politics
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Guess it took a national health emergency to get the republicans to move forward. And, only because of the negative publicity they would get if they continued on with their irresponsible behavior.
American voters, since they totally ignore us, our country and our needs to survive, the only way we can stop their hypocrasy is to make sure everyone of them is voted out come next elections.
Sean Hannity blamed Obama for flu breakout so they would push vote through for Kathleen for Secty of Health. Repubs are just noisy without a voice
Oh gee....I feel so much better now.
Somehow this will end up being hyped that Obama will save the world from the swine flu.
NC is getting rid of another republican senator next year.
Enter GOPers stage right, blabbering about a swine flu conspiracy to get Sebelius appointed and "soshulyze" US health care...
She should be approved and her first act should be to tell the President of Texas, Perry, that he will get vaccines after all the 49 other states are fully stocked.
Foreign aid should only take place after the domestic needs have been fulfilled.
there is no way with 20 mill in mexico city and only 1 mill doses in mexico city this can be contained quickly
So they are going to stop standing in the way? Maybe not...
Oh my God!! 90 cases world wide.
Worldwide there are 5000 case of Lou Gehrig's disease. When are we going to deal with this pandemic?
I wonder how long the Senate wishes to wait to vote her in?
How long is long enough?
Sebelius.....Another tax cheat,and her husband a judge? whats wrong with the Democratic party,Can't they find an Honest person for appointment to HHS position?She should not be confirmed,she broke the law...
To hold up a nomination over the right wing views of the republicans is one more example of how stupid anybody associated with the republicans are. Witness recent pollinf like washpo/abc where 21% of people identify as republican. You had 8 years of a theocracy that was sheer hypocrisy based on the incredible criminality associated with the bush era. NYT article this week showing the decline of cnn in prime time ratings to fourth shows me that my switch to msnbc was vindicated based on my frustration with the shift to the right in the programming of cnn. You have an enormous number of Bush officials on your payroll as contributors which really decreases your credibility and makes cnn complicit in the bush administrations criminality by giving them a platform.
Approve her nomination and stop stalling, Republicans!
Yet Another Tax Cheat!....and a ...
Radical Extremist who advocates protection of late-term abortions
Radical Extremist who argues against the infant protection act to protect babies who are actually born during a failed abortion procedure
Socialist who will aggressively push through nationalized, socialist health care
Sorry, not the person we need in place and pushing through her nomination just because of the flu outbreak would be pure stupidity!!!
If the conservatives put as much compassion on the rights of the living as they do the rights of the unborn, maybe – just maybe – this country could accomplish greatness again.
Global warming, capitalism, the UK, swine flu, secret ballots in union elections, quality health care... Obama is helping us get rid of everything he hates. Too bad the rest of us don't get to have any say.
And it is about time! Looks as though Kathleen Sebelius will finally be confirmed as our Health czar.
Where but in the Republican Party could we find politicians blocking someone like Sebelius from public office in a time of crisis. The NO Party strikes again! Way to go boys and girls!
The only thing worse than the swine flu in the past 8-years has been Republican control of our economy and the White House with good ole Dicky and Bushy.
What gives this swine flu outbreak fidelity is the economic descion people will make when given the option to work or expose themselves to a misunderstood influenza
And for some unforeseen reason now Palin backers are trying to block the nomination? What gives here, sour grapes?
It's not about Obama saving the world from swine flu , it's about having the proper people in place before these things happen. Republicans have been putting up road blocks and dragging feet since the election, for cheap political positioning. The timing of world events are going to bite them in the a#&. Lets see.............................
We don't need volcano monitoring....check , one Alaskan volcano
Obama is weak on terrorism......check , three dead pirates
Blocking the nomination of HHS nominee because a doctor who performs abortions donated to her campaign......check , one swine flu pandemic.The new GOP 21% and falling.
Oh, I'm sure Sebelius will have a cure by tomorrow.
If there's one thing that will cure a potential pandemic, it's appointing some idiot to a cabinet post.
WHEW! Glad to hear Democrats will be using this crisis to ram through their nominees and agenda.
Yes – let's get angry at Republicans... because had Seblius been approved... NONE of this swine-flu would have happened!!
(eyes rolling)
The fear-mongering blamed on Bush pales in comparison to the shameless Obama Administration and you bleating sheeple.
Grow up republicans, it took a health emergency to get you off your butts....... no one cares anymore what the GOP says or stands for.....
Good. This key position, should and need be filled soon.
The republicans will cut their own nose off to spite their face.