Senate expected to approve Sebelius nod

Despite concerns from social conservatives, Senate Republicans are not planning to mount a serious opposition to President Obama’s nomination of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

While conservative members such as Kansas Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts issued a joint statement supporting the governor, other conservatives, such as Sens. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), are expected to press Sebelius about her views on abortion.

{mosads}The split within the Republican Conference suggests that it does not have the interest or ability to mobilize against the nomination. Minority Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) both said they are unaware of any serious obstacles.

Cornyn suggested Sebelius’s support from Brownback and Roberts was a notable step toward neutralizing GOP opposition.

“We’ll wait and see, but I haven’t heard anything to indicate the nomination will not go forward,” Cornyn said.

Support from a key Republican also emerged Monday: that of Wyoming’s Mike Enzi, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Enzi issued a statement saying that he looked forward to working with Sebelius on healthcare reform.

But a spokesman for Coburn — a physician and staunch abortion opponent — said the Oklahoma senator “will be thoroughly reviewing Sebelius’s qualifications.”

“He will be particularly interested in gauging her interest in prosecuting doctors who oppose her views on life issues,” said spokesman John Hart. “Dr. Coburn has noted that many practicing physicians, including himself, will go to prison before agreeing to engage in medical practices they morally oppose.”

Meanwhile, conservative activists lambasted the nomination. The Christian Medical Association issued a statement saying the choice “signals the implementation of a radically pro-abortion agenda,” while The Catholic League called the nomination “offensive” to Catholics who oppose abortion. Other critics included Concerned Women for America and The Family Research Council.

But Republican Majority for Choice, a pro-abortion rights group, has a different view. Executive Director Kellie Rose Ferguson said that politically, the party risks damaging itself by considering abortion a litmus test for candidates and nominees.

“A certain faction of the party has tunnel vision and has lost sight of the bigger picture,” Ferguson said. “Within HHS there are hundreds of other issues, and this is not where we should be focusing our energy now.”