[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 50 (Wednesday, March 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S1587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Xavier Becerra

  Mr. President, on another matter, as we know, it has been more than a 
year since the term ``COVID-19'' became a part of our daily vocabulary. 
Over this last year, families have lost loved ones, millions of workers 
have lost their jobs, Main Street businesses have shuttered, and our 
healthcare workers have endured unimaginable stress and heartbreak.
  One year ago, the majority of Americans were hunkered down at home in 
order to stop the spread of this deadly virus, and today, while we 
continue to follow the commonsense public health guidelines to stop the 
spread of the virus, we are finally experiencing some hope. With three 
successful vaccines now being administered throughout the country, the 
light at the end of the tunnel gets bigger and brighter every day. I 
know we are all grateful for that.
  More than 27 percent of Americans 18 and up have received at least 
one dose of the vaccine. That includes nearly two-thirds of people over 
the age of 65, one of the most vulnerable cohorts. We have every reason 
to be optimistic that brighter days are ahead, but we are not out of 
the dark yet.
  In the coming months, we need sound leadership from public health 
officials who have the experience and the expertise to guide us through 
these final, critical months. Unfortunately, President Biden has 
nominated someone who is unprepared to lead that charge.
  The President has chosen Xavier Becerra to be his Secretary of Health 
and Human Services. As we know, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services is one of the top generals in the war against COVID-19. The 
Department coordinates the healthcare providers, State and local 
officials, researchers, and the American public to respond to a crisis 
like this. For everything from COVID-19 testing to treatment and 
therapeutics, to vaccinations, HHS is actually in charge
  The Department disburses funding. It determines how many vaccines go 
to each State. It leads efforts to boost public confidence in the 
vaccine and so much more, but that is not even including the long list 
of nonpandemic responsibilities for the Department, including 
everything from overseeing Medicare and Medicaid to regulating 
prescription drugs.
  So what life experience does Mr. Becerra have that makes him 
qualified to lead these efforts? Well, he is not a doctor. He is not a 
public health expert. He has never even worked in a role that is 
remotely related to healthcare. In fact, his only semirelevant 
experience is the range of lawsuits he has filed as attorney general of 
his home State of California.
  Mr. Becerra led a group of attorneys general in opposing the Texas 
lawsuit Texas v. Azar. The case attempted to reinstate the individual 
mandate penalty which was removed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He also 
led a case attempting to overturn protections for religious groups, 
such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, that don't offer coverage for 
contraceptives in their group health insurance plans. He sued them. 
Well--no surprise--the Supreme Court ultimately ruled 7 to 2 in favor 
of the Little Sisters of the Poor.
  And, as we know, Mr. Becerra's radical policy objectives date long 
before his time as attorney general. As a Member of the House, he took 
extreme views on abortion. He opposed legislation that would ensure 
that babies who were born after a botched abortion would receive 
medical treatment, just like any other patient.
  He opposed a bill to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used for 
abortions, the Hyde amendment, which has been bipartisan consensus for 
at least since the late seventies. He even opposed legislation to make 
it a crime to harm or kill an unborn child during the commission of a 
violent crime. In 38 States, including his State of California, they 
already have similar protections, but he opposed legislation to do it.
  Unlike the majority of President Biden's nominees who received 
bipartisan support by both the committees of jurisdiction and the full 
Senate, there is no bipartisan chorus singing the praises of Mr. 
Becerra. Put simply, he is a partisan warrior who lacks the experience 
to lead HHS during normal times, let alone during a pandemic.
  We are at the 10-yard line in the pandemic. Now is not the time to 
give the punter a chance to try out his quarterback just because he 
happens to be friends with the coach.
  I would oppose the nomination of Mr. Becerra and encourage my 
colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do so as well. The American 
people deserve an experienced Health and Human Services Secretary, and 
this nominee does not fit the bill.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.