Senate Committee Advanced Two HHS Nominations
The Senate Finance Committee confirmed two key Department of Health and Human Services nominees who now head to the full Senate.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
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The Senate Finance Committee voted to advance the nominations of Chris Klomp as deputy secretary and Ge Bai as assistant secretary for health and human services. The committee approved Klomp in a 15-12 vote and Bai in a 14-13 vote.
Why it matters
These appointments will shape federal oversight and planning for health IT and service delivery sectors. Operators should watch the full Senate confirmation vote to understand the future regulatory trajectory of these agencies.
The Senate Finance Committee advanced Chris Klomp with a 15-12 vote and Ge Bai with a 14-13 vote. These figures represent the committee stage of the federal appointment process before reaching the full chamber.
The players
Chris Klomp
Senior adviser to the HHS Secretary and former CEO of the health IT firm Collective Medical.
Ge Bai
Nominee for the position of assistant secretary for planning and evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The current Secretary of Health and Human Services overseeing departmental policy and operations.
The details
The committee advanced the nominations following testimony from Chris Klomp, who currently serves as senior adviser to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Klomp previously acted as CEO of health IT company Collective Medical. Following the committee approval, Klomp’s nomination now moves to the full Senate for a final confirmation vote.
Timeline
September 17-18, 2026: Klomp testified before Senate Finance and HELP committees.
September 24, 2026: Senate Finance committee voted to advance the nominations.
Market Landscape
The narrow committee vote margins follow the standard Senate confirmation process for executive branch appointments, reflecting current partisan dynamics in Washington. This committee-level action marks a necessary hurdle for agency leadership changes that ultimately dictate federal regulatory priority.
Operators in the health IT and public health sectors should monitor the full Senate floor vote for final confirmation. These leadership roles will determine the immediate regulatory oversight and strategic focus for the Department of Health and Human Services.
The takeaway
The advancement of these nominations signals a coming shift in the leadership and policy priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services. Business owners should monitor the official Senate floor calendar to anticipate when these new officials will formally assume their roles.
Further reading
For broader trends in administration staffing, see People.
Live Poll
Should political appointees prioritize departmental policy over the direct orders of the president?
