Rep. Neal Welcomes Biden Nomination of Becerra to Serve as Health & Human Services Secretary

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 -- Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Massachusetts, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement on Dec. 7 after President-elect Joe Biden nominated Xavier Becerra to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services:

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"Xavier Becerra is a strong pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services as our nation works to defeat and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I witnessed Attorney General Becerra's consistent commitment to improving Americans' access to quality health care when he served on the Ways and Means Committee, particularly through the process of crafting and passing the Affordable Care Act. Since leaving Congress, he's done a terrific job leading the defense of that very law and the vital protections it affords millions of people.

"The Ways and Means Committee stands ready to work closely with HHS under Becerra's leadership to support frontline health care workers, ensure a swift and fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, improve nursing home accountability, lower the costs of prescription drugs, and take overdue steps to promote equity in our nation's health care system.

"Given the ongoing public health emergency, I hope the Senate wastes no time next year in approving Attorney General Becerra for this essential role. At this critical moment for our country, President-elect Biden made an excellent decision to nominate someone so qualified who will also make history as the first Latino to lead the Department of Health and Human Services."