Clinton Approved As Secretary Of State, Plans To Advance Women's Rights

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 23 Jan 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved the appointment of former Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as secretary of state in the Obama administration by a vote of 94-2, the Los Angeles Times reports. Clinton has said she is committed to advancing women's rights in the U.S. and abroad (Richter, Los Angeles Times, 1/22). During her Senate confirmation hearing earlier this month, Clinton said, "Of particular concern to me is the plight of women and girls, who comprise the majority of the world's unhealthy, unschooled, unfed and unpaid." Clinton added that under her tenure, the state department would have "a very active Women's Office, a very active Office on Trafficking" and that she would be "speaking out consistently and strongly against discrimination and oppression of women and slavery" (Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 1/14).

The vote came after a one-day delay requested by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) who sought time for senators to voice concerns about Clinton's ties to the Clinton Foundation, which her husband, former President Clinton, runs. Both Republican and Democratic senators have raised concerns about the foundation, according to the Times. In response, the Clintons have agreed to make the identities of all donors public and submit foreign donations to ethics reviews, the Times reports. Cornyn, after praising Clinton's abilities during the Senate vote on Wednesday, voted in favor of her appointment. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) voted against the appointment, along with Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), who expressed concerned with Clinton's support for lifting the "global gag" restriction (Los Angeles Times, 1/22). DeMint before the vote said, "I do not plan to slow up this nomination, but I do find it difficult to support a nominee who I know will pursue policies so contrary to American sovereignty and the dignity of the human person." Clinton resigned her Senate seat on Wednesday following the confirmation, and New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will choose her replacement (AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/22).

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