WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, issued the following statement in support of Sylvia Mathews Burwell’s nomination to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services:

The Affordable Care Act is improving millions of Americans’ lives, providing them with lifesaving, affordable health care and consumer protections that allow more people than ever before to get good coverage. In the coming years, the Department of Health and Human Services will need a strong leader to follow in Secretary Sebelius’ footsteps to successfully implement the next stages of the law and make it even better. It’s clear after today’s hearing that Sylvia Burwell will be a fantastic new Secretary of Health and Human Services. Ms. Burwell has proven herself as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget during some of our economy’s most challenging times. Not only did she help negotiate a deal to end the Republican government shutdown, she also helped reduce the deficit by $400 billion, and strengthen federal infrastructure programs that have created good jobs for countless Americans. Her management experience will guide HHS through its next chapter and make sure the Department is supporting the 8 million individuals who enrolled for coverage – and help many more to enroll. I wholeheartedly support Ms. Burwell’s nomination and I urge my colleagues to do the same.