California Attorney General Xavier Becerra's nomination to serve as the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary is the most controversial cabinet choice of President Joe Biden to date. Republicans wanted to deny Becerra's confirmation, and some of them voiced sharp criticism of him during the Senate's first of two hearings on Tuesday.

A Fox News report noted that Becerra's trip to meet Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1997 had prompted the resignations of Republicans from the House Hispanic Caucus. 

The report said Xavier Becerra clashed with Cuban-Americans in the House Hispanic caucus after he traveled to Cuba to meet with Castro. He was then the chairman of the group.

As then-congressman, Becerra allegedly refused to call for free elections following a meeting with Castro and voted 10 years later to end a trade embargo with the Cuban dictator.

Sens. Susan Collins, Joe Manchin, and Mitt Romney have yet to decide how they will vote in Becerra's confirmation. Becerra faces criticism from conservatives who raised their concerns that he was too liberal or inexperienced as a health care leader.

Reps. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen and Lincoln Diaz-Balart said in 1997 that they were personally insulted by Becerra's four-day trip to Cuba, prompting them to resign from the caucus, which then had no Republicans left.

Los Angeles Times has reported that Diaz-Balart said he would not contribute membership dues to the caucus until Becerra demonstrates minimal respect for the Cuban rights to be free and calls for free elections "for that oppressed island."

Xavier Becerra later said that he could not issue a call for free elections since the caucus "does not take positions" on the issue.

Related story: Biden Selects California AG Xavier Becerra to Be First Latino Health Secretary

Xavier Becerra's Nomination to Serve HHS

If Xavier Becerra is confirmed, he will have the task of steering the administration's policy on the COVID-19 pandemic and helping in Biden's goal to get health care to more Americans. It would also make him the first Latino HHS secretary.

According to an NBC News report, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chair Patty Murray said Becerra has the experience and principles needed for the said role.

Murray said that they have a lot of work to do and no time to waste. She then called on the Senate to quickly confirm him after the hearings. But Sen. Richard Burr, the Republican ranking member, voiced sharp criticism of Xavier Becerra during his opening remarks on Tuesday.

Burr questioned Becerra's experience, citing his congressional service does not give him the necessary experience or skills "to do this job at this moment."

On the other hand, Collins pressed Becerra on the lack of a provider relief fund in Biden's COVID-19 relief bill. Romney grilled him on his past vote against the partial-birth abortion ban, saying they wouldn't find common ground on that issue. 

In his opening statement, Becerra said he understands the huge challenge and the responsibility to faithfully served the said agency. He added that he's humbled by the task, and he's ready for it.

Xavier Becerra's Career

Becerra became one of the most influential people in the House, serving in several leadership positions as the first Latino in House history to sit on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, according to the History Archives site.

He also became the second Hispanic American to chair the House Democratic Caucus. After he resigned from the House in 2017, Becerra accepted the job as attorney general of California.

In his resignation letter to the House, Xavier Becerra said, "It has been a distinct honor to serve the people of Los Angeles and my country for more than 24 years." He added that he was grateful to his constituents "for their tremendous counsel and support over those two decades."

Becerra is set to face the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday.

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