11 GOP senators slam Biden pick for health secretary: ‘No meaningful experience’

Eleven Senate Republicans announced their opposition to President BidenJoe BidenBiden to hold moment of silence for 500K COVID-19 deaths Publix offers employees who get COVID-19 vaccine a 5 store gift card Schumer says he’s working to find votes to confirm Biden’s OMB pick MORE’s nominee for health secretary ahead of his confirmation hearings before two committees this week.

The senators, led by Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonTrump to speak at CPAC in first public appearance since leaving White House Trump-McConnell rift divides GOP donors GOP senators demand probe into Cuomo’s handling of nursing home deaths MORE (R-Ark.), urged Biden in a letter to withdraw the nomination of Xavier BecerraXavier BecerraBiden picks Obama health veteran to run Medicare, Medicaid agency Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement — now the real work begins Confirm Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services secretary now MORE, California’s attorney general, arguing he is unqualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The senators wrote that Becerra has “no meaningful experience in health care, public health, large-scale logistics, or any other areas critical to meeting our present challenges.”

The letter was also signed by Sens. Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnGOP senators demand probe into Cuomo’s handling of nursing home deaths Record number of women hold state legislative leadership posts GOP senators criticized for appearing to pay half-hearted attention to trial MORE (R-Tenn.), Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward Cruz ‘Saturday Night Live’ targets Cruz, Cuomo Trump to speak at CPAC in first public appearance since leaving White House Can Ted Cruz out-ski the avalanche of criticism? MORE (R-Texas), Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesGOP senators call Capitol riot videos ‘disturbing,’ ‘powerful,’ ‘graphic’ Centrist Democrats pose major problem for progressives Overnight Energy: Biden faces calls to shut down Dakota Access pipeline | Hackers breach, attempt to poison Florida city’s water supply | Daines seeks to block Haaland confirmation to Interior MORE (R-Mont.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), James LankfordJames Paul LankfordMissouri newspaper hammers Hawley and Blunt: ‘Embarrassment to the state’ Tanden seeks to defuse GOP tensions over tweets How your taxes subsidize the Super Bowl — and how that might change MORE (R-Okla.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeLee after Romney’s impeachment vote: There’s enough room in GOP ‘for both of us’ GOP senators demand probe into Cuomo’s handling of nursing home deaths NYT podcast host says it’s ‘ironic’ Rubio is against childcare allowance MORE (R-Utah), James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike RoundsMike RoundsHassan to chair Senate emerging threats subcommittee Senate GOP ready to turn page on Trump GOP senators praise impeachment managers but say Trump will be acquitted MORE (R-S.D.) and Roger WickerRoger Frederick WickerRestaurants need relief in COVID package Impeachment trial descends into chaos over Lee objection GOP senators send clear signal: Trump’s getting acquitted MORE (R-Miss.).

Biden is highly unlikely to withdraw Becerra’s nomination, which will be considered this week by the Senate Finance and Health committees.

To be confirmed by the Senate, he would need at least 51 votes, which Democrats will have if every single member of the caucus votes for him and Vice President Harris breaks a tie.

Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinSchumer says he’s working to find votes to confirm Biden’s OMB pick Democrats face unity test on Biden’s .9T bill Progressive caucus chair: I think minimum wage will be included in COVID-19 aid package MORE (W.Va.), one of the most moderate Senate Democrats, is reportedly undecided on Becerra’s nomination, and he recently announced he will oppose Biden’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Neera TandenNeera TandenSchumer says he’s working to find votes to confirm Biden’s OMB pick Everybody wants Joe Manchin Biden won’t pull Tanden nomination, says she’ll get the votes MORE.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDemocrats plan crackdown on rising drug costs Where things stand on the COVID-19 relief measure Hillicon Valley: Krebs is back on Capitol Hill | Cybersecurity as ‘preeminent threat’ | News on data privacy and voter security MORE (D-Ore.) said Monday he has not heard any concerns from Democrats about Becerra’s nomination and said Republicans who oppose him are grasping at straws.

“I think they’ve done their best to try to find something that could stick in terms of their opposition, but there’s really no there there,” Wyden said, referring to Republicans.

He pushed back on claims Becerra is inexperienced, noting that he has served on key congressional committees and defended consumer interests, especially during the pandemic, as California’s attorney general. 

Becerra was one of former President TrumpDonald TrumpFormer Florida officer arrested after live…