Washington — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas is expected to be named today as President Obama’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
The job would give Ms. Sebelius, a Democrat who was elected to her second term as governor in 2006, oversight of a federal department that has a budget of more than $700-billion and encompasses 11 agencies, including the National Institutes of Health.
It is unclear what her appointment would mean for science policy and research funds. Much of her early focus in the job, if she is confirmed by the Senate, is expected to be on efforts to overhaul health care, a priority of President Obama’s.
Ms. Sebelius is the president’s second pick for the position. Thomas A. Daschle, a Democrat and former majority leader of the U.S. Senate, withdrew from consideration after questions arose about taxes he had owed.
As governor, Ms. Sebelius has angered anti-abortion activists and Roman Catholic leaders by vetoing measures they favored. On higher education, she pressed a plan two years ago to charge higher tolls on the state’s turnpike to help pay down a $727-million backlog of repairs on the state’s college campuses. The idea faltered under opposition from motorists, but legislative leaders agreed to a five-year, $410.5-million plan to pay for some of the overdue repairs. —Sara Hebel
