Sebelius Approved by Senate panel

Sebelius' nomination has been opposed by pro-life leaders for her extreme pro-abortion record and connections to late-term abortionist George Tilller.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Senate Finance committee today voted 15-8 to approve President Obama's Health and Human Services nominee, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, sending the confirmation to the full Senate for a final vote.

Sebelius' nomination has been strongly opposed by pro-life leaders who have criticized her extreme pro-abortion record and connections to Kansas' notorious late-term abortionist, George Tilller.

When one senator in a question published last week asked Sebelius to disclose her relationship with Tiller, the governor answered that Tiller had donated a total of $12,450 to her campaigns. Later it was revealed that Tiller and his political action committee, ProKanDo, contributed at least $238,000 to help Sebelius' campaigns, and engaged in further fundraising on her behalf.

The revelations stirred some concern among GOP senators. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Ut., said yesterday that while Sebelius initially seemed qualified, "after learning about her inexplicable omission of donations from the late-term abortion doctor George Tiller, I have to reevaluate my support for her nomination."

The only Finance Committee Republicans who voted for Sebelius were Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, and Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine.

The full Senate could confirm the nomination as early as today.

American Life League's Judie Brown and the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins are urging pro-lifers to contact their senators to oppose the Sebelius nomination.

In particular, Brown is asking constituents to contact Sebelius' home state senators, Sen. Brownback and Sen. Roberts, whose "no" vote would invoke senatorial courtesy and likely block the confirmation.

U.S. Capitol Switchboard
(202) 224-3121

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback
Phone: (202) 224-6521

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts
Phone: (202) 224-4774

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