President-elect Joe Biden on Monday selected California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to helm the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the country continues to battle a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The 62-year-old Becerra served 12 terms in the House of Representatives and was an ardent supporter of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) who led the defense of the law before the Supreme Court in November.
If he is able to overcome confirmation, he would be the first Latino to lead the big department as the Biden administration bats to put more people of color to front-line positions.
Biden also selected Dr. Rochelle Walensky, chief of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Biden says Dr. Fauci will serve as his chief medical adviser
The chief executive also formally tapped Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), as his chief medical adviser on the virus.
Biden, in a tweet, praised Fauci for being a “tireless public servant” who has “served six presidents and led us through some of our toughest challenges.”
