Republicans Are Still Holding Sebelius' Confirmation Back

Isn't it about time to let the President have the staff he needs to get the job done that the American people elected him to do? In case you have one of these Republicans representing you in the Senate, tell them to stop blocking Kathleen Sebelius from being our next Health and Human Services Secretary.

Howard Dean Speaks About Sebelius As HHS Secretary

Always a man of character, Howard Dean is full of praises for Governor Sebelius becoming the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Of course this doesn't mean that Dean will just go away and do nothing. Expect plenty from him in the months and years to come as a staunch advocate of progressive issues.

Dean Gets Two Solid Progressive Endorsements For HHS

The drama of Tom Daschle's failed nomination feels like eons ago, what with all this stimulus news going on. Still, we need to fill that very important position in Obama Cabinet filled so that the Secretary can get on with the nation's health and human services business. There is quite a lot of it, ya know? From the very beginning, outgoing DNC Chair Howard Dean had been mentioned to take the position, but apparently Rahm Emanuel isn't Dean's biggest fan. Obama's CoS needs to get over himself, and listen to two former Congressional colleagues of his.

From The Atlantic:

I confess I don't know whether there is room in this world for Howard Dean to be in a cabinet that reports to Rahm Emanuel. I know that Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee is a top candidate. That said, the former Vermont governor, DNC chair, NGA chair, health care expert and presidential candidate has some momentum tonight. Sen. Tom Harkin, who has discussed the job with the White House, has publicly endorsed Dean, as has the influential House member Raul Grijalva, who wrote the following letter to Obama. GrijalvaLetter.pdf

Bredesen would be a terrible choice and Obama would be foolish to pick a guy known for slashing health care services as Governor. Howard Dean on the other hand, had expanded health care to nearly every child in Vermont during his tenure and has been a passionate advocate for health care reform. The "Dr." in his name is just the beginning of his track record of public service and appointing him HHS Secretary would be a great way to continue to build on that resume.

Daschle's $128,000 Mistake

Seriously, how, after working as a Senator who wrote tax legislation, do you fail to pay $128,000 in taxes? I'm sure he's going to be confirmed and for all I know he's a great guy, but I hope that he runs HHS better than his own finances.



Update (2/3/09 1PM): Oh well, so much for that.

Bush Administration Too Busy For Ailing 9/11 Workers

We would never expect the President to show up in New York to be held accountable for the sacrifices that many heroes made after 9/11. Yet it would be nice if one White House staffer could make their way down Pennsylvania Avenue and answer questions as to why rescue workers that live outside of New York aren't being taken care of.

From The Daily News:

"Responders rushed from all over the country to help New York on 9/11. But [the U.S. Health and Human Services Department] couldn't find one person in the building to come to New York?" said Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens).

"They don't fight for 9/11 health programs. Instead, they fight to stop them."

A spokeswoman who returned a call to the Health and Human Services Department said officials would answer questions at another time.

That's not good enough for Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-Brooklyn), who leads the House oversight subcommittee on government management, organization and procurement.

"If I must issue subpoenas, that is what I will do," Towns vowed. "The administration's handling of 9/11 health care is one of the worst-managed programs I have ever seen."

So technically it is the Health and Human Services Department that is neglecting our heroes from out of town, but that is still under the Bush Administration, and that could have easily been solved. And of course we wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place if the White House took care of these workers from the start. Now they are ducking their responsibility and ignoring Congress. Congressman Towns can threaten to wield the subpoena, but since Congress is already so weak-kneed in front of the President, I doubt it will bring anything forward. One effect of a crumbling democracy is a lack of accountability, even if Congress says they want action, they can't deliver it.

Bush Turns His Back On 9/11 Workers Again

He may not have had to do it himself, but the Department of Health and Human Services walked away from a commitment to men and women that risked their lives on September 11th. As long as its a federal agency, it is inherently a part of the Bush Administration. HHS no longer wants to pay to monitor workers who live outside the five boroughs, many who have sought drier climates due to their devastated respiratory systems.

From ABC7:

New York's congressional delegation and some ailing workers stood outside the World Trade Center site Saturday to protest this week's decision to not fund screening of workers outside New York City.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services filed paperwork this week canceling plans to pay a company to medically screen those who got sick after working in the toxic rubble of the trade center.

The government said the program could cost far more money than Congress has provided. U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., on Saturday said of the explanation: "That takes a lot of chutzpah."

It takes more than chutzpah, it requires a callousness of the heart and soul that is unimaginable here in New York. Who in their right mind would not want to give anything to those that worked on the pile, whether they were searching for survivors or cleaning up the wreckage. Obviously Bush and his underlings are not in their right minds.