Watch CBS News

Senate OKs President Trump's Nominee For Health Secretary

WASHINGTON (AP/KDKA) - Republicans have driven President Donald Trump's choice for health secretary through a testy Senate in a party-line vote.

The 52-47 roll call early Friday means Georgia GOP Rep. Tom Price will head the Health and Human Services Department. He'll help lead the Republican push to erase President Barack Obama's health care overhaul and the administration will likely issue regulations aimed at curbing the law.

"The job of HHS secretary is critical to undoing the damage caused by Obamacare," Senator Pat Toomey said in a statement released Thursday evening. "Dr. Price understands that as we transition to a better health care system where Americans have more affordable choices in coverage, we must not pull the rug out from under anyone who is currently covered by Obamacare. Dr. Tom Price is the right person for this job."

It was the Senate's fourth consecutive contested vote for a Trump Cabinet secretary. Partisan battles for Cabinet posts are usually rare, but the first weeks of Trump's presidency have seen little collegiality between the two sides.

Price is a veteran House member and orthopedic surgeon who Republicans call a knowledgeable pick for the job. Democrats say he's an ideologue whose policies would snatch care from many Americans.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.