For Daschle, Round One
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2009 12:08 PM by Carrie Dann
From NBC's Carrie Dann
A quick note about Opening Day of confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill:
Tom Daschle, Barack Obama's nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary, appeared this morning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for a confirmation hearing. But the HELP Committee is not actually the one that has the authority to recommend Daschle's confirmation. The authority to recommend him to the Senate actually lies with the Senate Finance Committee, but this morning's hearing is considered a "courtesy" because the HHS Secretary deals heavily with health care issues. The Finance Committee -- which has jurisdiction over the massive spending associated with Medicare, SCHIP, etc -- has not yet scheduled its confirmation proceedings for Daschle.
Daschle, an 18-year Senate veteran who enjoys the respect of former colleagues of both parties, is widely expected to be confirmed without much of a fight.
Today's HHS hearing takes on a special significance not only for the former Democratic majority leader, who was greeted warmly by longtime friends and introduced glowingly by his old Republican rival fmr. Sen. Bob Dole. Ted Kennedy, who has made few public appearances since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, presides as the chairman of the committee that oversees his most cherished cause -- health care reform. Each of his colleagues welcomed him back to the Senate before they began their questioning.
"Mr. Chairman, welcome home," said Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC). "Because I think this is home for you."
The renowned lawmaker appeared to be in good spirits as he gaveled the hearing to order, and he delivered a handful of characteristically well-timed remarks that earned him chuckles from the room.
When Daschle, who has been known to elicit fashion commentary himself for his unique red-rimmed glasses, delivered an impassioned response to advocate for nutrition and wellness, the South Dakotan ventured into the requirements of straight-up hipness. "Wellness has to be cool," he said, "And prevention has to be a hot thing,"
An impressed Kennedy responded with a grin, "Wow. Keep giving that speech."
