Barack Obama heralded the long-delayed confirmation of a US surgeon general as a crucial step in the fight against Ebola on Monday night after Senate Democrats defied opposition from the National Rifle Association to finally fill the 17-month vacancy.
Dr Vivek Murthy was confirmed in the Senate by 51 votes to 43, despite previously incurring the wrath of the NRA with tweets in which he argued gun violence was a “healthcare issue”.
Threats by the powerful lobby association to award negative scores to senators if they voted to confirm Murthy had previously stalled the process, with Democrats standing for re-election in Republican-leaning states particularly anxious not to anger gun enthusiasts.
But such caution failed to prevent the defeat of two Democrats who had previously opposed gun reform attempts – Senators Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Mark Begich of Alaska– in November’s midterm elections, paving the way for one final attempt to confirm Murthy in the last days of the Democratic-controlled Congress.
Three Democrats still voted against Murthy’s appointment – Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Joe Donnelly of Indiana – but Pryor and Begich voted in favour.
Together with Illinois senator Mark Kirk, who was the only Republican to vote yes, and other wavering Democrats such as Montana Senator Jon Tester, the changed Senate dynamic on guns was just enough to get Murthy the simple majority now needed for confirmation after a rule change last year to prevent filibusters in such situations.
“[This] confirmation makes us better positioned to save lives around the world and protect the American people here at home”, said Obama in a statement.
“Vivek will also help us build on the progress we’ve made combatting Ebola, both in our country and at its source” he added.
Murthy’s opponents didn’t just criticise him for his views on gun control, but argued that he was underqualified for such a senior public health position.
“Americans expect their surgeon general to be someone who has substantial experience,” said Wyoming Republican John Barrasso during Monday’s Senate debate.
But Democrats said the absence of a permanent surgeon general, a post filled on a temporary basis since July 2013 by navy physician Boris Lushniak, had severely hampered the nation’s response to challenges such as Ebola.
“How in the world can we leave this position vacant at a time we are facing the worst public health crises in a generation?” asked Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois during the debate over Murthy.
