Senate confirms Price as HHS secretary

The Senate early Friday morning narrowly confirmed Rep. Tom Price to serve as the next secretary of Health and Human Services.

The vote of 52 to 47 to confirm the Georgia Republican, a former orthopedic surgeon, will have an impact on the growing debate over legislation that would repeal and replace Obamacare. As HHS secretary, Price will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the healthcare law's exchanges and regulations.

He also will be responsible for overseeing the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and other related agencies.

Price's nomination became a flashpoint in the debate over Obamacare, as Democrats took umbrage with Price's replacement plan he authored while in the House. Democrats also criticized Price's prior positions on Medicare and Medicaid, saying that he has previously supported turning Medicare into a voucher program and Medicaid into a block grant program.

"The war on seniors by the Trump administration begins when we confirm Rep. Price," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, on the Senate floor Thursday.