Biden HHS nominee Rachel Levine becomes first openly transgender federal official confirmed by US Senate

Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania‘s former prime well being official, earned affirmation Wednesday within the Senate to develop into the brand new assistant secretary on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The vote was 52-48. It marked the first time in U.S. historical past the Senate confirmed an openly transgender federal official.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., known as the affirmation vote one other important “milestone” after Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg turned the first openly homosexual Cabinet member to be confirmed by the Senate in February. 

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“The Biden administration has brought many historic firsts into its ranks,” Schumer mentioned Wednesday previous to the vote. “… The confirmation of Rachel Levine represents another important milestone for the American LGBTQ community. She will be the first openly transgender official ever confirmed by the United States Senate. The arc of history is long, but it keeps bending in the direction of justice.”

Levine will serve underneath newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

In addition to dealing with medical, public well being and social providers packages, the HHS division is chargeable for sheltering the inflow of unaccompanied migrant kids crossing into the United States as soon as they’re launched from border patrol custody. 

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During her affirmation listening to, some Republicans raised considerations about Levine’s handling of the coronavirus response in Pennsylvania, together with nursing dwelling deaths, and forged doubt on whether or not she deserves a promotion. 

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., informed Levine: “Along with the testing challenges from last spring, your state failed to adequately protect nursing home residents from the virus, and is making unacceptable mistakes in the vaccine distribution process. Pennsylvania ranks as one of the most dangerous states for long-term care residents battling COVID-19.”

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., pressed Levine on the place she stands on “genital mutilation” of minors who could also be “confused” about gender id and need to take hormones or have surgical procedure to change their physique.

Levine evaded a direct reply and responded: “Transgender medicine is a very complex and nuanced field with robust research and standards of care that have been developed.”

Democrats panned Paul for his line of questioning. 

Meanwhile, Schumer praised Levine’s {qualifications} for the job and mentioned she’s stayed “laser-focused” on responding to the coronavirus pandemic in Pennslyvania “despite several attacks on her gender identity over the past year.”

Schumer mentioned he hoped Levine’s outstanding place within the Biden administration will additional break down stereotypes. 

“As transgender Americans suffer higher rates of abuse, homelessness and depression than almost every other group, it’s important to have national figures like Dr. Levine, who by virtue of being in the public spotlight, will help break down barriers of ignorance and fear,” Schumer mentioned.

A Harvard-educated pediatrician and former Pennsylvania doctor basic, Levine was appointed to be Pennsylvania Health Secretary by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017, making her one of many few transgender individuals serving in elected or appointed positions nationwide. She is a professor in pediatrics on the Penn State College of Medicine.

In 2020, Levine turned president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).

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She received previous affirmation by the Republican-majority Pennsylvania Senate and was the general public face of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.