( CNN ) -- Kansas Gov . Kathleen Sebelius was sworn in Tuesday night as secretary of Health and Human Services . Kathleen Sebelius dives into discussing the swine flu at the White House after being sworn in . She was sworn after she was confirmed by the Senate in a 65-31 vote . The timely vote puts Sebelius in office as the Obama administration is up against its first public health outbreak . She steps into the role as swine flu numbers climb worldwide . As of Tuesday morning , at least 90 cases had been confirmed , including 50 in the United States . Until her confirmation , the White House , which declared a public health emergency Sunday , was dealing with its first crisis without a secretary . But the administration said it was equipped to handle the situation . There are still no appointees in place for any of the department 's 18 key positions . Related : White House health team not complete . In most cases where a position is awaiting Senate confirmation , that job is filled by a career civil servant in an interim capacity . The Obama administration has named five nominees for the open positions . Sebelius met several obstacles during her confirmation hearings . The Kansas governor came under fire for her ties to Dr. George Tiller , a late-term abortion provider . Tiller and his staff attended a 2007 reception Sebelius held at the governor 's mansion in Topeka . Sebelius originally failed to account for donations she received from the doctor . Sebelius also revealed in March that she recently paid nearly $ 8,000 in back taxes and interest . She said she had errors in her 2005 , 2006 and 2007 tax returns . Sebelius , 60 , is the daughter of former Ohio Gov . John Gilligan , who led that state from 1971 to 1975 . A two-term Democratic governor in a Republican-leaning state , she previously served as a state insurance commissioner and oversaw Kansas ' Medicaid program . She has been credited with boosting health care assistance for the poor during her tenure . A number of leading social conservatives have criticized Sebelius for her record on abortion , citing , among other things , her veto as governor of legislation that would have tightened abortion regulations in Kansas . In vetoing the measure last April , Sebelius wrote that the bill was problematic because it included no exceptions for pregnancies that endanger a woman 's life and it allowed individuals to seek court orders preventing a woman from obtaining an abortion , even if the procedure was necessary to save her life . Some Republicans , however , have strongly defended Sebelius . Former Senate GOP leader Bob Dole , also from Kansas , testified on Sebelius ' behalf in March , arguing that her record had proven her ability to work in a bipartisan manner . `` Sebelius ' strength is that she understands health care [ and is ] willing and able ... to bring parties together in very critical areas , '' he said . Kansas GOP Sens . Pat Roberts and Sam Brownback , as well as Republican Govs . Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Jon Huntsman of Utah commended her selection . Former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota , Obama 's first choice for secretary of health and human services , withdrew on February 3 after controversy erupted over his tax records and over his work in a field that some consider lobbying .
Kathleen was sworn in after being confirmed by 65 - 31 vote . White House says the team is equipped to handle swine flu situation . Sebelius has come under fire for agreeing to late - term abortion doctor . She was two - term Democratic governor in Kansas , a Republican - leaning state .