WASHINGTON — Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts reiterated his call for Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to resign over the problematic rollout of HealthCare.gov, accusing her of lying about the problems to protect the White House.
“You have said America should hold you accountable,” Roberts, a Republican, said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing at which Sebelius was testifying. “Which is why, today, Madame Secretary, I repeat my request for you to resign.”
Before Roberts was elected to congress, he worked for Kansas Republican Rep. Keith Sebelius: HHS Sec. Sebelius’ father-in-law. He spoke favorably of Kathleen Sebelius during her confirmation hearings to become HHS Secretary. But in early October, Roberts called for his fellow Kansan to resign her post, and he did not pull any punches during Wednesday’s hearing.
“Madame Secretary, I believe you were given advice, counsel and warning — from experts inside your agency and out — that the health care exchanges were not going to be ready. Furthermore, I believe, to protect the Administration, you chose to ignore these warnings,” Roberts said.