Lawmaker calls for vote on HHS nomination this week

Senate leaders are attempting to confirm Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas as HHS secretary this week. The task is no small feat given Thursday's budget votes, but senators hope to get her installed in the post before they leave for the two-week spring recess.

"That's the whole reason we're having this hearing, to get her confirmed this week," Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., said on Thursday as Sebelius faced questions from panel members. Former Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kan., introduced Sebelius at the hearing and asked the committee to confirm her this week.

Referring to HHS headquarters, he joked that Sebelius "can't even get in the building." It was her second hearing this week, following one on Tuesday with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Both committees went easy on the nominee despite revelations late Tuesday of tax problems caught by a public accountant. Sebelius and her husband paid $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest to amend their 2005, 2006 and 2007 returns. Sebelius said on Thursday the ethics officer informed her she would need to divest a couple of stocks in her husband's portfolio that would pose a conflict of interest if she is confirmed. She did not reveal what those stocks are.

The tax problems, which she called "unintentional errors," stem from charitable contributions and business expenses that she and her husband did not have documentation for, as well as interest they wrongly deducted. Finance members did not ask her to divulge more information about the discrepancies. Tax troubles plagued the previous nominee, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., who took himself out of consideration for the spot in February. But Sebelius appears poised to sail through her confirmation.