With Sebelius Confirmation Delayed, Brunner Calls on GOP to End Partisan Delays

The extreme partisan (and potentially sexist) nonsense surrounding the delayed nomination of Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services has raised more than a few eyebrows in recent days. In Ohio, U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner weighed in this afternoon with a statement calling on the GOP to end the delays:

"After a full day of debate, the U.S. Senate must proceed to a vote on confirming Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as President Obama's choice for Secretary of Health & Human Services...

The hold up of Gov. Sebelius' nomination is not about her qualifications. She has been elected statewide in Kansas four times, twice as governor and has done a magnificent job managing her state. She's the daughter of one of Ohio's most respected governors, John Gilligan. She has strong Ohio ties and a clear sense of the needs of hard hit states like Ohio.

This is certainly more about her pro-choice stance for women's health and her determination to extend adequate health care coverage to Americans suffering without it. We don't have time for delays based on political ideology and partisanship...

...We must ask ourselves-why is her nomination being stalled? She is an expert on health policy, a strong advocate for health care reform and has a proven track record of increasing access to affordable care. She has a solid record of supporting common-sense prevention policies that help keep families healthy. And she has an impressive record of supporting a woman's right to choose. She is knowledgeable. She is smart. And she has proven herself to be an effective leader. America needs her in Washington, and we need her now..."