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Xavier Becerra
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
HHS Secretary; Former California Attorney General
Overview
Xavier Becerra served as the 25th U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2021 to 2024 under President Biden; previously serving as California Attorney General (2017-2021) and as a U.S. Representative from California for 24 years (1993-2017). As HHS Secretary; Becerra oversaw the federal COVID-19 pandemic response during its later stages; including vaccine distribution; booster campaigns; and the eventual end of the public health emergency declaration in May 2023. Critics argued that HHS under his leadership was slow to adapt COVID guidance; maintained institutional inertia; and failed to adequately address the mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. As California AG; Becerra was a strong advocate for the Affordable Care Act; leading multi-state coalitions to defend it in court; and pursued enforcement actions against healthcare fraud. However; his tenure drew controversy for aggressive prosecution of investigative journalist David Daleiden; who secretly recorded Planned Parenthood officials discussing fetal tissue procurement. Daleiden and the Center for Medical Progress were charged with 15 felony counts of invasion of privacy; which critics from press freedom organizations argued was a chilling attack on undercover journalism. The charges were eventually reduced. Becerra's 24-year congressional career included service on the Ways and Means Committee and a leadership position as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus; but he was criticized for a lack of healthcare management experience when nominated to lead HHS during a pandemic.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Prosecuted investigative journalist David Daleiden with 15 felony counts for secretly recording Planned Parenthood officials; press freedom advocates called it a chilling attack on undercover journalism
Nominated to lead HHS during a pandemic despite having no healthcare administration or public health management experience; his background was entirely in law and politics
HHS was criticized for slow adaptation of COVID-19 guidance; maintaining outdated recommendations on masking; testing; and quarantine protocols longer than warranted by evolving evidence
As AG; received campaign contributions from Planned Parenthood while simultaneously deciding to prosecute the journalist who investigated Planned Parenthood; creating appearance of conflict of interest
Oversaw HHS during the end of the COVID public health emergency in May 2023; which resulted in millions losing Medicaid coverage during the "unwinding" process; 15+ million disenrolled
As a congressman; was named in the Awan brothers IT scandal when former staffers were investigated for unauthorized access to congressional computer systems; though Becerra was not personally charged
Related Investigations (1)
Known Associates & Connections
Joe Biden
Nominated him as HHS Secretary
Sources & Documentation
2 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- January 26, 1958
- Birthplace
- Sacramento, California
Education
- •Stanford University, BA Economics
- •Stanford Law School, JD
Key Timeline
January 26, 1958
Born in Sacramento; California
1993
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives from California's 30th (later 34th) district
2013
Became chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
2017
Appointed California Attorney General by Governor Jerry Brown
2017
Filed 15 felony charges against journalist David Daleiden over Planned Parenthood recordings
2021
Confirmed as 25th Secretary of Health and Human Services
May 2023
Oversaw end of COVID-19 public health emergency; triggering Medicaid unwinding that disenrolled 15+ million
2024
Left HHS at end of Biden administration