Xavier Becerra

Becerra takes the reins of a department trying to control not just a pandemic but also a simmering border crisis.

Democrats and Latino leaders say the delay to confirm Xavier Becerra as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has effects beyond the ever-present pandemic, and includes the Biden administration's deepening immigration woes.

"It does seem like as attorney general you spent an inordinate amount of time and effort suing pro-life organizations.... I think the majority of the American people would not want their secretary of Health and Human Services focused or fixated on expanding abortion when we got all of these public health issues to deal with," Senator Jon Thune told Becerra.

Xavier Becerra will likely be confirmed despite Cruz' claims that he's an unqualified left-wing activist.

Biden's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services has faced criticism for his lack of experience, support for Medicare for All and abortion-rights stance.

"I will tell you what I believe is the best approach, and that is to let science guide us, and let the experts determine when it is safe, remembering that schools and education are a local issue," Becerra said.

For every vote the Democratic caucus loses, it needs that many more Republican votes to confirm President Joe Biden's Cabinet picks.

While the Biden administration attempts to enforce its agenda at the federal level, the pro-life movement will be fighting back in the states to advance protections for preborn children and their mothers.

Senate Republicans are turned off by Becerra's pro-choice stance on abortion, support for single-payer health care and lack of experience in the medical field.

"This accomplished team of leaders will bring the highest level of integrity, scientific rigor, and crisis-management experience to one of the toughest challenges America has ever faced," Biden said.

The website's four alleged owners stand accused of running a "pay-for-removal scheme" attempting to profit from arrestees' humiliation.

"We're prepared to do what we must to protect California from a deficient census," Attorney General Xavier Becerra said.

The Golden State enacted the travel ban in response to North Carolina's controversial anti-transgender "bathroom bill" in January.