March 11, 2021

Manchin Will Vote To Confirm Becerra As Secretary Of Health And Human Services

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), released the following statement on his decision to vote to confirm California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“As our nation faces deep divides and a healthcare crisis that has taken the lives of far too many Americans, we must commit to working together to heal our nation. While Attorney General Xavier Becerra and I have very different records on issues like abortion and the Second Amendment, he has affirmed to me his dedication to working with Members on both sides of the aisle to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous needs of our nation in a bipartisan way. He is committed to working with me to stabilize rural healthcare across America and combat the drug epidemic that has ravaged my home state of West Virginia. He has a proven record of defending the Affordable Care Act and fighting to protect the 800,000 West Virginians and millions of Americans with preexisting conditions. He understands the need to expand telehealth infrastructure – especially in rural communities – and implement the Defense Production Act (DPA) to improve domestic supply chains. He committed to me that he will uphold the law in regards to the Hyde Amendment. For these reasons, I believe Attorney General Becerra will be a leader for every American and West Virginian, and I will vote to confirm him as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I look forward to working with Attorney General Becerra to expand healthcare for rural communities and address the issues facing our nation.”