Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services Secretary by a 50-49 margin. The support from Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins removed the need for the Vice President to cast a tiebreaking vote. Becerra, who has been California's Attorney General since 2017, will be the first Latino to head the department. In addition to tackling the federal COVID-19 response efforts, Becerra will oversee an expansion of the Affordable Care Act.