In a voice vote, the Senate confirmed Margaret Hamburg, a bioterrorism expert, as the 21st commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. She is the second woman to hold the post in 100 years of agency history, according to the Associated Press.

Hamburg told senators at her confirmation hearing that she wants to restore public confidence in the agency by putting science first and by running an open and accountable operation, AP reported.

"Her expertise and judgment will serve FDA well," Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary, said after the Senate confirmed Hamburg's nominati, Reuters reported.