Biden Picks Sacramento Native To Head Health And Human Services

Sacramento native Xavier Becerra has been selected as President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The California Attorney General, who is a C.K. McClatchy High School alumni, was previously a member of Congress for 12 terms before becoming attorney general.

Becerra will be the first Latino to head the Department of Health and Human Services if confirmed by the Senate.

Although he has made history before.

When Becerra was sworn in on January 24, 2017, as the 33rd Attorney General of California, he became the first Latino to hold the title in California's history.

"It is huge," Sacramento council member Eric Guerra told CBS13. "It says a lot about Sacramento's pride and also what kind of talent we have here in our city for the nation."

If sworn in, Becerra will advise the president on matters of health, welfare, and approved programs for medical research, health insurance, and drugs and vaccines.

Becerra will oversee the nation's response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the distribution of the vaccine.

In a tweet, California Governor Gavin Newsom congratulated Becerra writing, "You've spent your entire career fighting for equality and justice...Now you'll help lead our nation toward quality, affordable healthcare for ALL -- and continue to make CA proud!"

Photo: Getty Images