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California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra appeared headed toward confirmation as the nation’s first Latino secretary of Health and Human Services after a pivotal hearing passed Wednesday with few fireworks and no serious blows inflicted by Republicans hoping to derail him. Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday pointed to the COVID-19 crisis in opposing or backing him as the right choice to lead the nation’s health agency, and Republicans expressed concern with his record of support for abortion rights. But even Republicans acknowledged that Becerra will probably be confirmed. (Wire, 2/24)

Health and Human Services secretary nominee Xavier Becerra pointed to President Biden's opposition to "Medicare for All" on Wednesday when pressed on his own support for the idea, saying he would follow the lead of the White House. (Sullivan, 2/24)

President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Xavier Becerra, told the Senate Finance Committee in some of the most tense exchanges in two days of confirmation hearings that he would follow the law on abortion. Finance Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., did not say when the committee, the only panel that will vote on the nomination, would do so. (McIntire, 2/24)

Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Xavier Becerra appears to be on a smooth path to Senate confirmation. But two days of generally collegial hearings in the Senate HELP and Finance committees exposed fault lines that could shape President Joe Biden's post-pandemic agenda and will define health policy debates leading into the midterm elections. Here are four key takeaways. (Miranda Ollstein, 2/24)

Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary nominee Xavier Becerra testified during a Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday. If he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Becerra would be the first Latino to serve as HHS secretary. (2/24)