Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the incoming Biden administration announced Dr. Rachel Levine as its pick to fill the position of assistant secretary of health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to being an outstanding nominee who helped lead Pennsylvania’s lauded response to the ongoing pandemic as the state’s top health official, Dr. Levine also stands at the precipice of history. Levine is the first transgender person nominated to a Senate-confirmable position, and if confirmed, she will be the highest-ranking transgender official in the federal government.
In response to Levine’s historic nomination, Winnie Stachelberg, executive vice president for External Affairs at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
Dr. Levine has been a tremendous public servant for the people of Pennsylvania during the most difficult health crisis in a century. Her nomination is based on years of steady, effective leadership as the state’s top public health official, and her track record of success speaks for itself.
But her confirmation will also serve as a powerful reminder that President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris understand that representation within our federal institutions matters. The government that works for Americans should be a reflection of the people whom it serves. Dr. Levine’s confirmation will be a historic one for transgender Americans and should be an encouraging sign for all Americans.
President-elect Biden vowed to make his administration the most diverse in history and to fill his staff with a team of competent, well-qualified advisers. The nomination of Dr. Levine is a step toward fulfilling both of those goals.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Adam Peck at [email protected].