[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1745-S1746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Rachel Leland Levine

  Mrs. MURRAY. Madam President, I rise today to strongly urge my 
colleagues to support the nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine. She is a 
highly qualified public health expert to serve as Assistant Secretary 
for Health.
  As the highest ranking health official in Pennsylvania, she led the 
State's COVID-19 response by focusing on transparency and clear, 
science-based communication; giving daily briefings on the status of 
the pandemic; and advocating for the resources and support 
Pennsylvanians needed.
  Dr. Levine has been on the frontlines of this pandemic, which is why 
she knows firsthand what our States and communities need from the 
Department of Health and Human Services. Even before this crisis, Dr. 
Levine established herself as a trusted voice to the people of 
Pennsylvania on matters of public health through her work to establish 
opioid prescribing guidelines and education for medical students, make 
lifesaving treatment for opioid overdoses widely available, combat 
eating disorders, increase health equity, and help the LGBTQ community 
get healthcare.
  She was confirmed to both of her positions in the State with broad 
bipartisan support. She passed out of the Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions Committee with support from Republican colleagues last week, 
and I hope she will be confirmed today in a strong bipartisan vote as 
well.
  I want to take a moment to acknowledge what her confirmation today 
would represent for our country because, in addition to being a high 
qualified nominee, Dr. Levine is also a historic one. Upon 
confirmation, she will be the highest ranking openly transgender 
official in our government and the first one ever confirmed by the 
Senate.
  I have always said the people in our government should reflect the 
people it serves, and today we will take a new, historic step toward 
making that a reality.
  I am proud to vote for Dr. Levine and incredibly proud of the 
progress this confirmation will represent for our country and for 
transgender people all across it who are watching today. I hope all my 
colleagues are as well.
  I would also say how glad I am that yesterday we voted to confirm Dr. 
Murthy as Surgeon General.
  During his last tenure as Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy established 
himself as a trusted voice on matters of public health, helped see our 
Nation through the Zika outbreak, and published groundbreaking reports 
on the opioid epidemic and rising youth tobacco use.
  I am pleased to have Dr. Murthy returning to the role of Surgeon 
General at this critical time.
  When it comes to ending this pandemic, we have a lot of work to do 
and

[[Page S1746]]

no time to waste. We are going to need all the help we can get, 
particularly from experts like Dr. Murthy and Dr. Levine to get it 
done.
  I yield the floor.