March 25, 2021 — Rachel Levine has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as assistant secretary of health, becoming the first openly transgender federal first price to take Senate confirmation.
The vote Wednesday used to be 52-48 and the tip consequence used to be mostly along occasion traces. Handiest two Republicans — Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine — voted with all Democrats in supporting Levine, the Associated Press reported.
Levine, who had been Pennsylvania Health Secretary since 2017, is anticipated to be accountable of Health and Human Products and services areas of work and packages nationwide.
Levine’s fulfillment is believed of as a historical breakthrough by transgender-rights activists because few trans folk admire held high-stage insist or federal areas of work, the AP reported.
A graduate of Harvard and of Tulane Scientific College, Levine is president of the Affiliation of Express and Territorial Health Officers. She’s written within the past on the opioid disaster, clinical marijuana, adolescent medication, ingesting disorders and LGBTQ medication, the AP reported.
