Biden’s health picks signal a more aggressive approach fighting Covid-19

Becerra was a surprise pick for HHS secretary but has contacts on Capitol Hill that could help Mr Biden, writes Washington Bureau Chief John T. Bennett

Joe Biden’s health team shows major changes are ahead in the federal government’s approach to combating Covid-19 — but Congress will be a major hurdle for the incoming team.

Most notably, the president-elect has namned California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a 62-year-old former Democratic congressman, to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He also is retaining Anthony Fauci as the federal government’s top infectious disease official and elevating him to the chief adviser to the president on Covid-19.

Mr Becerra on 20 January will inherit from Alex Azar the task of leading the complicated logistical effort of crafting and executing a national plan to ship and distribute coronavirus vaccines.