Senate Narrowly Approves Obama’s Choice For Surgeon General Despite NRA Opposition

The Associated Press: Senate Approves Obama Pick For Surgeon General
The U.S. Senate on Monday approved President Barack Obama's nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy to serve as U.S. surgeon general, despite opposition from Republicans and some Democrats over his support for gun control and past statements that gun violence is a public health issue. The U.S. has been without a Senate-confirmed surgeon general since July 2013. The surgeon general does not set policy but is an advocate for the people's health. (Daly and Neergaard, 12/15)

Reuters: Senate Approves New Surgeon General
The Senate confirmed the long-delayed nomination of Dr. Vivek Murthy for surgeon general on Monday, as Democrats pushed to approve some of President Barack Obama's stalled choices for government posts before Republicans take power in Congress next year. ... Obama nominated Murthy a year ago, but some Republicans and the National Rifle Association criticized his gun-control views. Senator Ted Cruz, a conservative Republican, called Murthy an "anti-gun activist." ... Supporters of Murthy noted more than 100 public health organizations endorsed him, calling him a "well qualified, forward-thinking, innovative leader with a strong commitment to public health." (Cornwell, 12/15)

The Wall Street Journal: Senate Confirms Vivek Murthy As U.S. Surgeon General
Dr. Murthy’s nomination was opposed by both Republicans and some Democrats over the gun issue, opposition that stalled his confirmation vote for months, leaving the public-health post unfilled while the U.S. government wrestled with issues such as the global Ebola outbreak. His critics said the 37-year-old Dr. Murthy, who was born to Indian immigrant parents and is an associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization in Boston, has been too politically outspoken. In addition to his comments on gun control, which drew the opposition of the National Rifle Association, he also co-founded a group of doctors that advocates in support of the federal health-care law. (Crittenden and Radnofsky, 12/15)

Bloomberg: Doctor Opposed For Gun Comments Confirmed As Surgeon General
The Senate confirmed Vivek Murthy, a physician who has called gun violence a public health issue, as U.S. surgeon general more than a year after President Barack Obama chose him for the job. The vote was 51-43 on one of the Senate’s last work days before Democrats turn the majority over to Republicans in January. After Obama nominated Murthy in November 2013, his confirmation was delayed amid opposition from Republicans and the National Rifle Association, a Fairfax, Virginia-based pro-gun lobby. (Miller, 12/15)

The Washington Post: Surgeon General Nominee Vivek Murthy, Opposed By Gun Lobby, Confirmed
Senators voted 51 to 43 to confirm Vivek Murthy, a Harvard and Yale-educated doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, whose nomination had been in limbo amid concerns about his experience, and opposition from the gun lobby. (O'Keefe and Dennis, 12/15)

WBUR: Brigham And Women’s Vivek Murthy Confirmed To U.S. Surgeon General Post
A Brigham and Women’s physician will become the next U.S. surgeon general. Democrats squeaked out a 51-43 vote Monday to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy, 37, in the waning days of their control over the U.S. Senate. (Bebinger, 12/15)

The Boston Globe: Senate Confirms Vivek Murthy As Surgeon General
Dr. Vivek Murthy, the Harvard professor whose nomination for surgeon general was held up because of his support for gun control and his political activity in President Obama’s campaign, was confirmed Monday by the Senate, more than a year after he was nominated. (Bierman, 12/15)

Los Angeles Times: Senate Confirms Obama's Surgeon General Despite Gun-Control Views
The Senate confirmed President Obama's controversial choice for surgeon general Monday, a victory for the administration after Republican infighting gave Democrats the upper hand in the final stretch of the lame-duck Congress. The 51-43 vote followed a drama-filled weekend session in which Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) forced senators to cancel plans and file into work as he tried to use a government funding bill as leverage to stop the president's immigration policy. (Mascaro, 12/15)

NPR: The U.S. Has A Surgeon General, For The First Time In 17 Months
A job that's been open in President Obama's administration since July of 2013 was finally filled Monday, as the Senate voted to confirm Vivek Murthy as America's new surgeon general. The tally was 51-43, ending a confirmation process that began after Obama nominated Murthy to the post in November of 2013 — yes, that's one year ago. (Chapell, 12/15)

The Hill: Senate Confirms Surgeon General Despite Opposition Of National Rifle Association
Dr. Vivek Murthy, a 36-year old physician, was approved 51-43 as the nation’s top doctor despite opposition from the GOP for his support of gun control and ObamaCare. Three Democrats voted against him, while Sen. Mark Kirk (Ill.) was the only Republican to vote in favor. (Ferris, 12/15)

Politico: Vivek Murthy Confirmed As Surgeon General
The nomination was strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association because of Murthy’s support of gun-control laws and by Republicans who doubted that a 37-year-old physician was qualified for the public health position. ... Democrats confirmed him, 51-43, with the support of a lone Republican: Mark Kirk of Illinois. Democrats Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia opposed him; all hail from red states where the gun lobby is particularly powerful. (Haberkorn and Everett, 12/15)

Politico: Ted Cruz Trolled Over Surgeon General Vote
The Senate’s confirmation of Vivek Murthy to surgeon general on Monday gave Democrats a chance to troll GOP firebrand Ted Cruz on twitter. (12/15)

Modern Healthcare: Murthy Narrowly Confirmed As Surgeon General
A broad array of healthcare organizations had been pushing for approval of Murthy's nomination. They cited public health emergencies, particularly the ongoing Ebola outbreak, as evidence of the need for the position to be filled. (Demko, 12/15)