Vote by Senate Confirms 1st Woman to Head FDA

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed New Mexico cancer specialist Dr. Jane Henney as the first female commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Henney succeeds Dr. David Kessler, who clashed with some Republicans over his aggressive efforts to stem underage smoking. Kessler left last year to become dean of the Yale University Medical School.

Henney, 51, served as Kessler’s deputy from 1992 to 1994, which gives her firsthand experience with the agency that regulates drugs, medical devices, foods and cosmetics that make up 25% of the national economy.

The voice vote to approve Henney came a day after Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) said he supported the nomination. Nickles had delayed final action to dramatize his dislike of past FDA policies.

Nickles said he had assurances from Henney and Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala that the FDA and HHS would not take advocacy positions on contentious issues such as tobacco and abortion.

Although Henney got last-day approval, the nomination of James Hormel as U.S. envoy to Luxembourg died as the Senate went home for the year.

Hormel, a San Francisco philanthropist, would have been the nation’s first openly gay ambassador.

“I think that it’s troubling that members of the Republican Party . . . have made clear that someone’s sexual orientation is a disqualifier to serve as an ambassador,” presidential press secretary Joe Lockhart said.

He said Clinton could give Hormel a recess appointment or could renominate him in January when the new Congress takes office. Democratic officials also have suggested Clinton might find another post for Hormel.