Burwell confirmed as HHS secretary

Sylvia Mathews Burwell has been confirmed by a 78–17 Senate vote as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The former director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) replaces Kathleen Sebelius, who announced her impending resignation in April.

The president has nominated Shaun Donovan, currect secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to succeed Burwell at the OMB.