On June 5, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sylvia Mathews Burwell as Secretary of Health and Human Services ("HHS"), a leadership position that oversees FDA and has ultimate authority over most agency actions, although rarely used. The Senate voted 78–17 to confirm Burwell, who previously served as the White House budget director and will replace Kathleen Sebelius as head of the government agency charged with implementing the Affordable Care Act. After the Senate approved her nomination, President Obama credited Burwell's proven management skills and wealth of bipartisan relationships for the strong vote in her favor.
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