WASHINGTON, D.C. — Summers County native Sylvia Mathews Burwell is the new Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 78-17 vote Thursday.
Burwell, who grew up in Hinton, was nominated by President Barack Obama earlier this year to take the place of Kathleen Sebelius. Burwell has been heading up Obama’s budget office.
U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller said the quick confirmation speaks volumes.
Sylvia is a shining star and a devoted public servant who has earned the respect of both Democrats and Republicans, and the bipartisan support she received since the President announced her nomination only further reflects how highly regarded she is across the aisle,” Rockefeller said in a prepared statement.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin called Burwell a “product of her environment.”
“I know that Sylvia’s West Virginia roots coupled with her professional experiences have helped mold her aptitude to work in a bipartisan way, combat tough problems, and get things done,” Manchin said.
Burwell will be in the spotlight with the Affordable Care Act.