“A divided Senate on Thursday advanced Xavier Becerra’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services after Maine Republican Susan Collins joined all of the chamber’s Democrats in backing a confirmation vote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer filed a discharge petition to bring up the nomination after the Senate Finance Committee split along party lines on the nomination last week, creating an extra procedural hurdle. The vote on holding a confirmation vote was 51-48.
Though Democrats have long expressed confidence that Becerra would get through, it took until Thursday morning for Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to announce he would back the nominee. Soon after, Collins announced her support.
Both centrists cited Becerra’s commitment to work on rural health issues.”
While the nomination will now move to the full Senate floor for a final vote, the Senate has not yet scheduled a date for that vote. We will keep members informed of the final outcome once the vote is held.
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