Coachella Valley Supe Offers Becerra Support, GOP Pushes Back

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez and a statewide association of Latino county supervisors throughout California added their voice of support for Xavier Becerra in the confirmation process for U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary — but on Wednesday the Senate Finance Committee split along party lines on Becerra's nomination.

Perez, who is president of the Latino Caucus of California Counties, sent a March 1 letter to Senate Majority Chuck Schumer on behalf of the caucus commending California Attorney General Becerra.

“As Californians, we have seen first-hand the intelligence, hard work, tenacity, and integrity of Mr. Becerra,” the letter states. “Most importantly for us, Mr. Becerra represents the California Dream. He is the son of working-class Mexican parents and worked his way to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a law degree from Stanford Law School. Mr. Becerra’s story resonates with so many in California and throughout the United States. With his confirmation, Mr. Becerra would become the first Latino to hold the position of Health and Human Services Secretary. While this would be a tremendous victory for the Latino/a Community, Mr. Becerra’s knowledge, experience, and accomplishments alone make him more than qualified for the position.”

Becerra was nominated in December to the post by President Joe Biden. The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary slot is a Cabinet position, which requires U.S. Senate confirmation.

Following Wednesday's 14-14 partisan deadlock in the Senate Finance Committee, Becerra's nomination will be taken to a vote by the full Senate, which could come quickly.

In the meantime, Republican lawmakers and conservative outside groups have taken out ads focusing on Becerra's record on abortion rights, guns and immigration, according to Politico.