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Senate Democrats are trying to confirm before year’s end President Barack Obama ’s surgeon general nominee, a pick that appears to be gaining momentum after being stalled for months. Vivek Murthy, Mr. Obama’s choice for the public-health post, is the highest-profile of the few dozen nominees who could come up for a vote in the chamber if Senate Democrats and Republicans reach a procedural agreement this week. Even in the absence of a deal, Senate leaders might take steps to set up a separate vote on Dr. Murthy’s nomination, a Senate Democratic aide said. (Peterson, 12/8)

President Barack Obama’s troubled pick for surgeon general may get a Senate vote before the end of this year’s lame duck session — though it’s not clear if he can win confirmation. Vivek Murthy, who has drawn opposition for remarks drawing a link between gun violence and health, is likely to get a vote before Democrats hand control of the chamber to Republicans in January, a senior Senate Democratic aide said Monday evening. But winning confirmation is another matter. (Everett, 12/9)