Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey says he will not vote for Dr. Rachel Levine to serve as Assistant Secretary for the US Department of Health and Human Services.
In a statement, Toomey cited what he called poor decisions and oversight by Levine and the Wolf administration during the pandemic especially pertaining to the handling of nursing homes and lockdowns.
“In Pennsylvania, the pandemic struck seniors in nursing homes disproportionately hard compared to other states. This was due in part to poor decisions and oversight by Dr. Levine and the Wolf administration.
"Moreover, the commonwealth’s extended economic lockdown that Dr. Levine advocated for was excessive, arbitrary in nature, and has led to a slower recovery.
"While I appreciate Dr. Levine’s service and responsiveness to my office over the past year, she has not earned a promotion to help lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and I cannot support her confirmation.”
Related
One day before the Presidential inauguration, Levine was tapped by President Biden to be the Assistant Secretary of Health.
At the time, Biden said “Dr. Rachel Levine will bring the steady leadership and essential expertise we need to get people through this pandemic — no matter their zip code, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability — and meet the public health needs of our country in this critical moment and beyond. She is a historic and deeply qualified choice to help lead our administration’s health efforts.”
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Levine because Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health in 2017 and is one of the few transgender people serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide.