Xavier Becerra was confirmed as HHS secretary Thursday afternoon by a razor-thin margin. The former California attorney general now takes the helm as the country attempts to improve the distribution of coronavirus vaccines and the Biden administration works on building up the Affordable Care Act.
The 50-49 vote in the Senate was almost entirely along party lines. The only Republican to cross the aisle was Sen. Susan Collins of Maine. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, did not vote.
