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Hispanic Federation Strongly Supports Nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 7, 2020

New York -- Today, Hispanic Federation, one of the nation’s leading organizations dedicated to supporting and empowering the Latino community, issued the following statement on President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Xavier Becerra. Hispanic Federation President, Frankie Miranda said:

“President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is very good news for a nation in dire need of principled, science-driven leadership at HHS.

For three decades as a state legislator, member of Congress, and as Attorney General of California, Becerra has distinguished himself as a defender of vulnerable populations. Nowhere has his leadership been more valuable than in his efforts to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care. As the Trump Administration systematically attempted to undermine the Affordable Care Act, Attorney General Becerra led a national coalition of state governments opposing these efforts and protecting our families.

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services is facing the greatest challenge in its history: the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 300,000 Americans have died of the virus since March and millions more have been infected. Rather than let our scientific and medical professionals lead during this unprecedented moment in American history, Secretary Alex Azar has kowtowed to the whims of a White House that has alternated between ignoring the virus altogether and downplaying its seriousness. The consequences of this inaction have been deadly, especially for Latinos and other people of color that are being disproportionately sickened by the virus.

It’s time for HHS to take the reins of a truly national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including providing clear guidance on prevention and, most importantly, a safe and effective distribution of a vaccine to stop the virus in its tracks. We have every confidence that Attorney General Becerra will ensure HHS rises to meet this challenge. We welcome his nomination by President-elect Biden and support it wholeheartedly.”

Contact: Matthew Rojas

mrojas@hispanicfederation.org