[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NOMINATION OF XAVIER BECERRA

  Mr. McCONNELL. Last week, our Democratic colleagues had to resort to 
a rare tactic to rescue the stalled nomination of Xavier Becerra to run 
the Department of Health and Human Services.
  The distinguishing feature of this nominee's resume is not his 
expertise in health, medicine, or administration. That part of the 
resume is very brief. What stands out are Mr. Becerra's commitments to 
partisan warfare and his far-left ideology.
  He has supported the sweeping government takeover of healthcare they 
call ``Medicare for All,'' which would actually end Medicare as we know 
it and would rip away families' private insurance plans.
  As the administration's policies continue to create a border crisis, 
Mr. Becerra is someone who believes we should not just have blanket 
amnesty, but that entering the country illegally should not even be a 
crime.
  And even amid a global pandemic, the most significant health-related 
experience on the nominee's record is his efforts to wield the legal 
system against religious Sisters to make them violate their faith and 
conscience.
  Up to now, every person who has ever been confirmed as Secretary of 
Health and Human Services has either been favorably reported by the 
Finance Committee or discharged by unanimous consent. There is ample 
reason why this nominee would be a glaring exception.
  I continue to urge a ``no'' vote.

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