Tom Price looks like a lock for confirmation in week ahead

WASHINGTON — We can pretty much say it at this point: by this time next week Georgia Congressman Tom Price will very likely be crowned secretary of health and human services.

The Senate is expected to vote later this week to elevate the Roswell Republican to the nation’s top health post. If the confirmation vote doesn’t come on Thursday or Friday, it’ll likely be early next week.

Despite a series of news reports homing in on his stock trades and what appears to be blanket Democratic opposition, no Republicans have shown signs of abandoning support for Price. Every GOP member of the Senate Finance Committee voted to circumvent a Democratic blockade and advance Price’s nomination last week.

The action will cap two-and-a-half hectic months for Price that saw his star rise from the wonky chairman of the House Budget Committee to President Donald Trump’s Cabinet.

Before senators determine Price’s fate, they’re scheduled to vote on Betsy DeVos to be education secretary and Jeff Sessions’ attorney general nod. Both are expected to be confirmed, albeit narrowly.

After Price’s fate is sealed, Gov. Nathan Deal is required under state law to call for a special election at least 30 days after Price officially resigns his 6th District seat. The race to replace Price is already a crowded one, and if nobody wins a majority of that vote — which is nearly a certainty — then a runoff would be held between the top two finishers.

Read more: 

Tom Price: The Georgia lawmaker who will lead Trump’s health policy

The race to replace Price could be an early test of Trump’s popularity

Another Republican is in the race to succeed Tom Price

Tom Price nomination advances as partisan fighting continues

Photos: Rep. Tom Price, Trump’s HHS nominee

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