Former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine has been confirmed as Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary.
It came after the U.S. Senate voted 52-48 last night approving her to the position. It makes her the first transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate.
Senator Bob Casey voted in favor of Levine, while Senator Pat Toomey opposed her nomination.
Levine issued a statement on her confirmation early Thursday morning.
“I am honored that the U.S. Senate has voted in favor of my nomination to be Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services. I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for nominating me to this important post. I look forward to working under the leadership of Secretary Becerra and ensuring that we promote policies that advance the health and wellbeing of all Americans.
“As I prepare to take my oath of office and begin serving as Assistant Secretary for Health, I would like to take this opportunity to address members of the LGBTQ community. First, thank you. Only through your work and advocacy over many decades is my story possible. I am humbled to be the first transgender individual to serve in a Senate-confirmed position. As Vice President Harris has said, I recognize that I may be the first, but am heartened by the knowledge that I will not be the last. When I assume this position, I will stand on the shoulders of those who came before- people we know throughout history and those whose names we will never know because they were forced to live and work in the shadows.
