AP file photo
Tom Price's party-line Senate confirmation vote as Health and Human Services secretary this morning was the weakest of any Health and Human Services secretary in decades. Here's how it compares to the confirmation votes of the last six HHS secretaries:
- Sylvia Burwell, June 2014: 78-17
- Kathleen Sebelius, April 2009: 65-31
- Michael Leavitt, January 2005: voice vote
- Tommy Thompson, January 2001: 100-0
- Donna Shalala, January 1993: unanimous consent
- Louis Sullivan, March 1989: 98-1
Why it matters: Any HHS secretary takes political fire because of all the hot-button programs under their control. Price was sure to face criticism for whatever he does in office, especially since he'll help lead the change to dismantle Obamacare. But it will be that much tougher for him now that he can't claim any bipartisan support.