The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as President Joe Biden's health secretary, filling a key position for the administration's coronavirus response.
The 50-49 vote makes the 63-year-old Becerra the first Latino to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
Senator Roger Marshall, Republican from Kansas, was among those voting against Becerra; Dr. Marshall says the "no" vote was primarily based on Becerra's lack of healthcare experience and his extreme pro-abortion stance.
Senator Marshall issued the following statement:
"President Biden’s nomination of Xavier Becerra, an individual with no public health care experience, as the HHS Secretary is just another example of his flawed approach to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and the health crisis on our southern border. As a physician, I could not vote to confirm a nominee who supports government takeover of healthcare and late term abortions – even up until birth,” said Senator Marshall. “The thought of a radical abortionist who has no medical experience leading HHS should concern every single American who values the sanctity of life and hopes for better days ahead following the pandemic.”