Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:

            “The Senate wisely voted today to confirm Xavier Becerra as our nation’s next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. I have every confidence that he’s the right person for this position at such a critical moment for the department and the country.

            “Xavier has served California well, both as a congressman and as an attorney general. He has consistently fought to expand access to affordable health care and will be a staunch defender of the Affordable Care Act.

            “Further, he’s made it a priority to ensure communities of color are getting equal access to health care, a vital area of concern a year into a pandemic that is affecting those communities the most.

            “I look forward to working with Secretary Becerra to do all we can in the fight against COVID-19 and other top priorities for California and for the nation.”