CNN reports:
The Senate narrowly confirmed Xavier Becerra to be the Health and Human Services secretary on Thursday, giving the former California attorney general a crucial role in fighting the pandemic. Becerra, the son of Mexican immigrants, is the first Latino HHS secretary. The vote was 50 to 49. During the confirmation process, Becerra stressed his upbringing, his father’s recent passing and his efforts for expanding health care access as California’s attorney general and a 24-year Congressman representing a Los Angeles-based district.
NEW: Senate votes 50-49 to confirm Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services Secretary. Susan Collins was the only Republican to vote YES (Democrat Mazie Hirono was absent)
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) March 18, 2021
Xavier Becerra was confirmed as health secretary in a 50-49 Senate vote. He will take over an agency at the center of the federal Covid-19 response. https://t.co/IxytKJoT9B
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 18, 2021