Reid sets up vote on Burwell nomination

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) set up a procedural vote in June on President Obama’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Reid filed cloture Thursday on the nomination of Sylvia Burwell, who would replace outgoing Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and oversee the implementation of ObamaCare, if confirmed to her new role. That vote will take place shortly after the Senate returns from a weeklong summer recess. He filed cloture on several other nominations, and those votes will come before Burwell’s.

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee voted 21-3 to advance Burwell’s nomination.

{mosads}Some Senate Republicans, such as Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), are forcing the cloture vote on Burwell’s HHS nomination as a form of protest to ObamaCare. Burwell currently serves as the director of the Office of Management and Budget and was unanimously confirmed for that role.

Before adjourning, Reid also got unanimous consent to pass several bills. A list and description follows:

– H.R. 724, amends the Clean Air Act to remove the requirement that a dealer of new light-duty motor vehicles furnish a certification to the buyer that the vehicle conforms to emission standards. The House passed the measure earlier this year so it heads to Obama’s desk for his signature. 

– S. 2198, the Emergency Drought Relief Act, provides relief for California. The bill now heads to the House for further action.

– H.R.862, allows two small parcels of the Coconino National Forest to be sold. The House passed the bill last year, which now heads to Obama’s desk.

– H.R.316, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Production Act, allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to transfer land to the town as long as fish and wildlife are protected. The House passed this bill last year, but the Senate added an amendment, meaning it will be sent back to the House for further action.

– H.R. 4032, the North Texas Invasive Species Barrier Act, exempts localities from federal criminal code regarding the transfer of water that contains invasive fish, wildlife and plants. The House passed the bill in April, which now heads to Obama’s desk.