Ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy was welcomed home Thursday by Democrats and Republicans as he presided over a hearing for the man he hopes will help him deliver universal health care.
Chairing his first Senate Health Committee session since announcing last year he is battling brain cancer, the patriarch of America's most celebrated political dynasty gave his blessing to ex-Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, a shoo-in, sources said, for confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
It was as much a day for Kennedy as it was for Daschle, who will spearhead Barack Obama's effort to provide health insurance for every American.
"I want to welcome you back to the committee and congratulate you on being the first to hold a hearing on President-elect Obama's nominees," said Wyoming Sen. Michael Enzi, the top committee Republican. "That's typical Sen. Kennedy fashion to get right into it right away - be first."
"I must say how wonderful it is to see you in that chair again," Daschle agreed.
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), another committee member, did not attend the hearing, in keeping with a tradition followed by senators who are nominees for administration jobs. Clinton was preparing for her own confirmation hearing, meeting with members of the Foreign Relations Committee, which will consider her nomination as secretary of state.
(...)
Go to:
No comments:
Post a Comment