Republicans consider whether to block Whitmer's health chief
By DAVID EGGERT
Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican senators critical of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the coronavirus pandemic are weighing whether to reject her appointee to run the state health department, which has issued orders restricting business capacity and gatherings to limit COVID-19's spread.
Elizabeth Hertel took over the Department of Health and Human Services on Jan. 22, the day Robert Gordon abruptly resigned. Her appointment will stand unless the GOP-controlled Senate blocks it by March 23. No affirmative vote is required.
Hertel's nomination is drawing considerably more attention than any in years. She has spent hours answering questions in two Advice and Consent Committee hearings and may return for a third meeting this week.