California Latino Caucus Leadership Urges Confirmation of AG Becerra as US Secretary of Health & Human Services

SACRAMENTO - As California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s nomination to become the Biden Administration's Secretary of Health & Human Services moves through the Senate confirmation process, Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), Chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, and Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Vice Chair of the Latino Caucus, issued the following joint statement in support of his confirmation:

"California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the best person to lead the Department of Health and Human Services at a time like this. America’s healthcare system was broken before the COVID-19 pandemic, and this virus has exacerbated the deep inequities and inadequacies entrenched in our system and brought them to the forefront. We can no longer deny the disparities that exist in our healthcare system for communities of color and working-class Americans. Attorney General Becerra has fought as a legislator, as an executive, as a community leader and as Attorney General to expand health care access for those most in-need. He was a tireless leader during the Trump Administration to protect the Affordable Care Act from being dismantled by Republicans. He has also been a consistent advocate for prioritizing the fight for women’s health throughout the course of his career. Attorney General Becerra is the type of public servant that we need leading our response and recovery from this public health crisis."

###

CONTACT

Senator Durazo

Michael Tonetti - michael.tonetti@sen.ca.gov - (213) 280-6917

Assemblymember Rivas

Elizabeth Stitt - elizabeth.stitt@asm.ca.gov - (916) 802-1276