Tag: Biden cabinet

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History Made As Buttigieg Begins Transportation Secretary Confirmation

Pete Buttigieg

Transportation Secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg
Pete Buttigieg during his Senate confirmation hearing
In a moment of quiet history making, Pete Buttigieg – the first out gay nominee for a Cabinet secretary position – began his confirmation hearing with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee by thanking his husband for his support. “I’d like to take a moment to introduce my husband Chasten Buttigieg, who is here with me today,” said the Transportation Secretary nominee with Chasten sitting nearby. “I’m really proud to have him by my side.” “I also want to take this chance to thank him for his many sacrifices and his support in making it possible for me to pursue public service.” Many on social media noted how seeing a gay Cabinet nominee introduce his husband would have meant a lot to them growing up. By the way – for those wondering, Buttigieg’s committee appearance went VERY well. #Forward

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California AG Xavier Becerra To Be Tapped For Health & Human Services Secretary

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (image via Twitter)

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (image via Twitter)
President-elect Joe Biden has named California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be Secretary of Health and Human Services for the incoming administration. The inclusion of Becerra, a former congressman, to such a high-level post will likely help to quell some concerns that Biden hadn’t named more Latinos to the Biden cabinet. From the New York Times:

Mr. Becerra became Mr. Biden’s clear choice only over the last few days, according to people familiar with the transition’s deliberations, and was a surprise. He has carved out a profile more on the issues of criminal justice, immigration and tax policy, and he was long thought to be a candidate for attorney general.

But as attorney general in California, he led legal efforts on health care, including seeking to protect the Affordable Care Act from being dismantled by Republican attorneys general. He has also been a leading voice in the Democratic Party for women’s health.

If confirmed, he will immediately face a daunting task in leading the department at a critical moment during a pandemic that has killed more than 281,000 people in the United States — and one that has taken a particularly devastating toll on people of color.

If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino to lead the department. He’ll also be the first person ever with a name beginning with the letter X to hold a cabinet position. I like Becerra. I’ve watched him for many years – from his time in Congress to becoming Attorney General of the Golden State. Some reports suggested Becerra might have been in the running to take Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’s U.S. Senate seat.

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Early Biden Administration Picks Show Diversity & Experience

Former Vice President Joe Biden (via campaign)
President-elect Joe Biden told voters during the 2020 campaign that his cabinet and staff would reflect the diversity of the American people. And early in the transition, he appears to be keeping those promises. So far, he’s announced the following picks for high profile positions in his administration: • Janet Yellen, expected to be nominated as Treasury Secretary, would be the first woman to ever hold the position. • Linda Thomas-Greenfield, to be nominated as ambassador to the United Nations, would be the first Black woman to serve in that capacity. • Cuban American Alejandro Mayorkas, nominated for homeland security secretary, would be the first Latino to hold the cabinet position. • Avril Haines, a former CIA deputy director, could be the first woman to be the director of national intelligence if confirmed • Carlos Elizondo, an openly gay event planner who lives in Washington with his partner, has been tapped to be the social secretary in the Biden White House. Elizondo is the first LGBTQ person to be named to a prominent position in the incoming administration. Karine Jean-Pierre, a Black lesbian, is reported to be a top contender for White House press secretary. Other experienced names previewed include former Senator/Secretary of State/Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry as Biden’s ‘Climate Czar,’ and former Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken as Secretary of State. As many in the media have noted, many of those we’re hearing about hold deep experience in their respective niches. While Donald Trump liked to surprise and entertain with unexpected and disjointed choices in key roles, you can almost hear a sigh of relief in the ‘mundane-ness’ of Biden’s picks. Brendan Buck, ex-counselor to former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan, wrote on Twitter, “These Biden nominations and appointments are so delightfully boring.”