HHS nominee says pandemic comes first but agenda is broader
“The COVID pandemic has killed 500,000 Americans,” Becerra told the
Becerra cited Biden's goals of 100 million vaccine shots in his first 100 days, increasing access to testing, ramped up DNA mapping of the virus to track worrisome mutations and reopening schools and businesses.
On health insurance, he pledged to work to expand the Obama-era Affordable Care Act, although in the past he's supported a government-run health care system.
The Californian faces two days of contentious hearings.
Becerra will be grilled by two panels. Following the health committee, he'll be questioned Wednesday by the
Ranking Republican Sen.
“I’m not sold yet,” Burr said, looking at the nominee. “I'm not sure that you have the necessary experience or skill to do this job at this moment.” In his opening statement, Burr questioned whether Becerra respects the role private companies, and particularly pharmaceutical firms, play in delivering innovation that benefits patients.
Becerra, 63, represented Hispanic neighborhoods of
Republican opposition has grown louder ahead of his nomination hearings. On Monday, Sens.
At a
The pandemic was a focus of questioning at the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on Tuesday. Senators of both parties want to know about the administration's timetable for a return to near-normalcy, the progress of the vaccination campaign, the outlook for reopening schools, and the threat from more aggressive virus mutations.
Becerra spent part of the hearing pushing Biden's
In many ways, Becerra was California’s early face of opposition to the Trump administration. He was appointed by Gov.
Over four years, he filed 124 lawsuits, challenging the Trump administration on immigration, environmental and health care policies. His litigiousness and vocal resistance to Trump’s policies could allow
Lack of medical experience doesn't disqualify a nominee for HHS secretary, although it can be a plus. Recent secretaries have included one doctor but also a pharmaceutical executive, a
Biden's pandemic response is being coordinated from the
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