The Senate Finance Committee Jan. 17 advanced the nomination of Alex Azar to serve as the Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. The vote fell largely along party lines, with Sen. Tom Caper (D-Del.) serving as the only Democrat to vote in support of Azar’s nomination.
This vote follows Azar’s Jan. 9 hearing in front of the committee, in which he outlined what his top priorities would be if confirmed [see Washington Highlights, Jan. 12]. The full Senate is expected to vote on Azar’s confirmation by the end of the month.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee also favorably reported the nomination of Brett Girior, MD, to be HHS Assistant Secretary for Health. The committee advanced Giroir’s nomination in August, but it was never brought to a vote on the floor.