Executive Session

Floor Speech

EXECUTIVE SESSION -- (Senate - April 28, 2009)

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Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. President, let me say at the outset how grateful all our Senate colleagues are for your leadership on the terribly important issue of health care reform.

As we think about economic recovery, I think most Members of the Senate realize there will not be true comprehensive economic recovery in this country unless we can also take on the massive challenge of reforming our health care system. The current costs of our health care system, $2.4 trillion and rising, are costs that are not sustainable over the long term.

I applaud the President's activities in this effort and his efforts to try to bring about the kind of bipartisan consensus on health care reform the Nation so desperately needs. That is why I think it is so important that later today the Senate act rapidly in the confirmation of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

I have had the opportunity to get to know Governor Sebelius during my tenure as Governor of Virginia. I have worked closely with her on a range of issues, particularly issues revolving around Medicaid reform. There is no issue that confronts States across the country more than the rising cost of Medicaid.

As we take on health care reform at the Federal level, reform of Medicaid is a critical component, and Governor Sebelius has a long record of working with other Governors all across the country, from both parties, in this important area.

As the Presiding Officer laid out, she brings a unique set of skills to the challenge: Former State legislator, former State insurance commissioner, and now a two-term Governor of Kansas. As we strive in this body to try to reach bipartisan consensus on this terribly important issue, no one brings a better record of working across the aisle to reach that bipartisan consensus than Governor Sebelius.

Governor Sebelius has a legislature that is overwhelmingly of the opposite party, but her overwhelming reelection and her ability to show tangible efforts in the area of health care reform in Kansas gives her the appropriate background to take on this challenge in the national debate.

For example, Governor Sebelius worked with her legislature and her small business community to significantly increase tax benefits to small business for healthcare; employees in this area of our economy are oftentimes left behind. Governor Sebelius recently worked with her legislature as well on a dramatic expansion of the SCHIP program, a legislative initiative that was actually introduced by the Republican legislative leadership. Again, she worked in concert with the opposite party.

As we move forward on the issue of health care reform, which I know the Presiding Officer will take the leadership on in the Senate, we need, and President Obama needs, someone who has a long-term record of building bridges between parties.

Health care reform is too important not to have this kind of consensus-building activity. Governor Sebelius has the background. Governor Sebelius has the track record in health care. I can speak, personally, that she has the temperament to work to try to bring both sides together.

I would also add, I think most of us in these last few days have not been able to pick up a newspaper or talk to our constituents back home without hearing about growing concern about the possibility of a swine flu pandemic.

This challenge has already paralyzed the country of Mexico and is one that we all are following very closely, particularly the possible rise of cases in the United States. This challenge, potentially confronts our Nation in a very dramatic way.

It is essential for the health of the Nation that President Obama has in place, and the Nation has in place, a strong Secretary of Health and Human Services to make sure our Federal efforts on this potential pandemic are ably coordinated--one more reason why it is critical this body moves quickly to confirm the nomination of Governor Sebelius. I know we will act on this later today.

But I believe, from a personal standpoint, Kathleen Sebelius will be a great addition to President Obama and to his Cabinet and will be a great partner to you, Mr. President, and our colleagues in making sure we bring about health care reform quickly, rapidly, and properly this year.

Mr. President, I yield the floor and ask that the time of the quorum call be charged equally against both sides.

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