History of Xavier Becerra in Timeline
Xavier Becerra is an American attorney and politician. He served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from March 2021 to January 2025, becoming the first Latino to hold that position. Prior to this, he was the Attorney General of California from 2017 to 2021. Becerra also served as a U.S. Representative for downtown Los Angeles from 1993 to 2017 and chaired the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
21 hours ago : Xavier Becerra Enters California Governor Race: Former HHS Secretary Announces Candidacy.
Xavier Becerra, previously Biden's Health and Human Services Secretary, has officially announced his candidacy for California governor, joining the race on April 2, 2025. This marks a significant shift for Becerra.
January 26, 1958: Birth of Xavier Becerra
On January 26, 1958, Xavier Becerra was born. He is an American attorney and politician.
1976: Becerra Graduates High School
In 1976, Xavier Becerra graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento.
1978: Becerra Studies Abroad
From 1978 to 1979, Xavier Becerra studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain.
1979: Becerra Studies Abroad
From 1978 to 1979, Xavier Becerra studied abroad at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain.
1980: Becerra Earns Bachelor's Degree
In 1980, Xavier Becerra earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics from Stanford University.
1984: Becerra Receives Juris Doctor
In 1984, Xavier Becerra received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.
1985: Becerra Admitted to the State Bar of California
In 1985, Xavier Becerra was admitted to the State Bar of California.
1986: Becerra Becomes Administrative Assistant
In 1986, Xavier Becerra became an administrative assistant for Democratic State Senator Art Torres of Los Angeles.
1986: Becerra returns to California
In 1986, Xavier Becerra returned to California and worked as an administrative assistant for state senator Art Torres.
1987: Becerra Serves as Deputy Attorney General
From 1987 to 1990, Xavier Becerra served as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice under Attorney General John Van de Kamp.
1990: Becerra Serves as Deputy Attorney General
From 1987 to 1990, Xavier Becerra served as a deputy attorney general in the California Department of Justice under Attorney General John Van de Kamp.
1990: Becerra Elected to California State Assembly
In 1990, Xavier Becerra was elected to the California State Assembly and served one term representing California's 59th district.
1992: End of Term in the California State Assembly
In 1992, Xavier Becerra concluded his term in the California State Assembly.
1992: Becerra First Elected to the House of Representatives
In 1992, Xavier Becerra was first elected to the House of Representatives.
1992: Becerra Elected to Congress
In 1992, Xavier Becerra won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 32% of the vote and was later elected to the House of Representatives for California's 30th district.
1993: Becerra Joins the United States House of Representatives
In 1993, Xavier Becerra became a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing downtown Los Angeles in Congress.
1993: Becerra Begins Representing California's 30th District
In 1993, Xavier Becerra began representing California's 30th congressional district.
1994: Becerra Re-elected to Congress
In 1994, Xavier Becerra won re-election to a second term in Congress with 66% of the vote.
1997: Becerra Becomes Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
In 1997, Xavier Becerra became Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
1999: End of Term as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
In 1999, Xavier Becerra's term as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus ended.
2000: Redistricting Changes Becerra's District Number
After the 2000 census, Xavier Becerra's district was renumbered as the 31st district.
2001: Becerra Runs for Mayor of Los Angeles
In 2001, Xavier Becerra ran for mayor of Los Angeles but did not win, finishing behind several other candidates.
2003: Becerra Represents California's 31st District
In 2003, Xavier Becerra started representing California's 31st congressional district.
January 27, 2008: Becerra Endorses Barack Obama for President
On January 27, 2008, Xavier Becerra endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama for president.
2008: Becerra Voted Against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act
In 2008, Xavier Becerra voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act because he "wanted to see direct protections for responsible homeowners" in the bill.
2009: Becerra Becomes Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
In 2009, Xavier Becerra became Vice Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
2009: Becerra Votes for Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
In 2009, Xavier Becerra voted for the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
March 24, 2010: Appointment to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
On March 24, 2010, Xavier Becerra was appointed to serve on the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
August 11, 2011: Becerra Selected for the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
On August 11, 2011, Xavier Becerra was selected to serve on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
December 23, 2011: Appointment to Bi-cameral Conference Committee
On December 23, 2011, Xavier Becerra was appointed to serve on a bi-cameral conference committee to find bi-partisan solutions on middle-class tax cuts, unemployment insurance, and the Medicare physician payment rate.
2011: Becerra Ran For and Won Second Term as Vice-Chair
In 2011, Xavier Becerra successfully ran for a second term as Vice-Chair to serve during the 112th Congress.
2012: Becerra Wins Election in the 34th District
After redistricting, in 2012 Xavier Becerra won election in the 34th district, defeating Stephen Smith with 85.6% of the vote.
2012: Rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America
In 2012, Xavier Becerra received a 100% rating from Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
2013: Becerra Becomes Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus
In 2013, Xavier Becerra became Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
2013: Becerra Represents California's 34th District
In 2013, Xavier Becerra began representing California's 34th congressional district.
December 1, 2016: Becerra Accepted Offer to be Attorney General of California
On December 1, 2016, Xavier Becerra accepted Governor Jerry Brown's offer to be the attorney general of California.
2016: Becerra Considered for Vice Presidential Nomination
In 2016, Xavier Becerra was on the shortlist of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for the vice presidential nomination, though Tim Kaine was eventually chosen.
January 2017: Becerra Becomes Attorney General of California
In January 2017, Xavier Becerra became the attorney general of California.
January 23, 2017: Becerra Confirmed as Attorney General
On January 23, 2017, The California Legislature confirmed Xavier Becerra to the post of attorney general.
January 24, 2017: Becerra Sworn in as Attorney General
On January 24, 2017, Xavier Becerra was sworn in as California's attorney general, becoming the first Latino to serve in the role.
March 28, 2017: Felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists
On March 28, 2017, Becerra brought fourteen felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists for recording videos, and one felony charge for conspiring to invade privacy.
May 2017: Crackdown on the Sureño gang in Merced County
In May 2017, as part of a broader anti-gang initiative, Becerra's California Department of Justice conducted a crackdown on the Sureño gang and its connections to the Mexican Mafia in Merced County.
June 2017: Operation against the Sureño gang in San Bernardino County
In June 2017, Becerra's California Department of Justice conducted an operation against the Sureño gang in San Bernardino County, as part of a broader anti-gang initiative.
July 2017: Refiling felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists
In July 2017, after initial charges were dismissed, Becerra refiled the felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists with the names and dates.
November 2017: Efforts focused on members of the Mexican mafia and drug cartels
In November 2017, Becerra's California Department of Justice focused its anti-gang efforts on members of the Mexican mafia and drug cartels across Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties.
December 2017: Takedown of gangs in Stockton
In December 2017, Becerra's California Department of Justice oversaw the takedown of gangs including the MOB, Flyboys, East Coast Crips, and others in Stockton.
2017: End of Term in the House of Representatives
In 2017, Xavier Becerra's term in the House of Representatives ended.
August 2018: Operation targeting the MS-13 gang
In August 2018, Becerra's office conducted an operation targeting the MS-13 gang in the Central Valley and beyond.
September 2018: Becerra Files Lawsuit Against International Boundary and Water Commission
In September 2018, Xavier Becerra filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission due to untreated wastewater flowing from the Tijuana River Watershed into California.
October 2018: Dismantling Riverside County's largest criminal street gang
In October 2018, Becerra oversaw a major operation dismantling Riverside County's largest criminal street gang.
2018: Becerra Created Environmental Justice Bureau
In 2018, Xavier Becerra created an environmental justice bureau at the California Department of Justice to address disparities in polluting facilities near low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
2018: Becerra Elected to Full Term as Attorney General
In 2018, Xavier Becerra was elected to a full four-year term as Attorney General, after defeating Republican challenger Steven Bailey.
2018: Writing Ballot Titles and Summaries in the 2018 elections
In the 2018 elections, as Attorney General of California, Becerra was tasked with writing ballot titles and summaries that appeared on voter information guides and ballots.
February 2019: Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration Over Border Wall Funding
In February 2019, Becerra, Governor Gavin Newsom, and 15 other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the president's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall at the southern U.S. border.
June 4, 2019: Arrest of Naasón Joaquín García
On June 4, 2019, Becerra announced the arrest of Naasón Joaquín García, leader of La Luz Del Mundo, and co-defendants, charged with human trafficking, child pornography production, and forcible rape of a minor, with crimes allegedly committed between 2015 and 2018.
July 31, 2019: Legal Victory in Shasta Dam Project
On July 31, 2019, Xavier Becerra achieved a legal victory when a Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction to stop Westlands Water District's involvement in a project to raise the Shasta Dam.
September 13, 2019: Charges Filed in Statewide Sex Trafficking Ring
On September 13, 2019, Becerra announced charges against Jing Chiang Huang, Shu Mei Lin, and others for involvement in a statewide organized crime ring engaged in sex trafficking, tax fraud, and money laundering, alleging that between 2015 and 2019, they committed 13 felonies related to sex trafficking.
September 26, 2019: 62 Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration
As of September 26, 2019, Becerra had sued the Trump administration a total of 62 times.
November 2019: Led Coalition to Defend DACA
In November 2019, Becerra led a coalition of 21 attorneys general to defend DACA against the Trump Administration's attempt to terminate it.
December 2019: Operation against the Country Boy Crips
In December 2019, Becerra's office focused on the Country Boy Crips in south Bakersfield with a significant operation.
December 2019: Trump administration opens 1 million acres in California to fracking and drilling
In December 2019, the Trump administration opened 1 million acres in California to fracking and drilling.
2019: Threat of legal action against reporters
In 2019, Becerra threatened "legal action" against reporters who had received records of California law enforcement officers convicted of crimes.
2019: Becerra Delivers Democratic Spanish-language Response to State of the Union
In 2019, while Attorney General, Xavier Becerra delivered the Democratic Spanish-language response to President Trump's State of the Union address.
January 17, 2020: Execution of "Operation Blocc Buster"
On January 17, 2020, Becerra and Riverside Police chief Larry Gonzalez announced the execution of "Operation Blocc Buster," which led to the arrest of 15 individuals and the seizure of 14 firearms, methamphetamine and cocaine from the Casa Blanca Gangster Crips street gang.
February 2020: Lawsuit against Trump Administration for Endangered Species Protection
In February 2020, Becerra, as Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federal government's failure to adequately protect endangered species in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. The lawsuit scrutinized the biological opinions under the Endangered Species Act regarding federal water export operations.
May 11, 2020: Preliminary Injunction Secured Against Trump Administration
On May 11, 2020, Becerra secured a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit against the Trump Administration for unlawfully expanding water export operations in the Central Valley.
June 2020: Supreme Court upholds DACA
In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the DACA policy, marking a victory for Dreamers, with Becerra and the California Department of Justice playing a pivotal role.
August 2020: Harris Selected as Vice Presidential Running Mate
In August 2020, after California senator Kamala Harris was selected by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate, Xavier Becerra was considered a possible replacement for Harris.
October 2020: Protecting the Redwood City Salt Ponds
In October 2020, Becerra secured a legal victory protecting the Redwood City Salt Ponds, vital to the San Francisco Bay's ecosystem, from urban development by defending the U.S. District Court's ruling against the EPA's exclusion of the Salt Ponds from the Clean Water Act.
November 2020: Considered for United States Attorney General
After Joe Biden's election as president in November 2020, Becerra was considered a candidate for United States Attorney General.
December 9, 2020: Joined Antitrust Lawsuit Against Facebook
On December 9, 2020, it was reported that Becerra's office joined 47 other states and the Federal Trade Commission in an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, Inc.
December 2020: Faulted for lack of leadership in unemployment fraud
In December 2020, Becerra was faulted by state district attorneys for not taking leadership to help stop unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 2020: Nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services
In early December 2020, it was reported that Biden would nominate Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
2020: Becerra Considered for Cabinet Positions
During the presidential transition of Joe Biden in 2020, Xavier Becerra was considered for the Cabinet positions of secretary of homeland security and attorney general.
2020: Becerra's Actions on Reproductive Rights and Addiction Treatment
In 2020, Xavier Becerra requested that the Supreme Court of California block the murder prosecution of a woman who had consumed methamphetamine during her pregnancy. In response to the Trump administration's decision to restrict federal funding to California because it requires insurance providers to cover abortion, Becerra stated that "California has the sovereign right to protect women's reproductive rights".
2020: Writing Ballot Titles and Summaries in the 2020 elections
In the 2020 elections, as Attorney General of California, Becerra was tasked with writing ballot titles and summaries that appeared on voter information guides and ballots. Proponents accused Becerra multiple times of writing biased descriptions.
March 10, 2021: Becerra's nomination deadlocked
On March 10, 2021, Becerra's nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services was deadlocked by the Senate's Finance Committee.
March 11, 2021: Becerra's Nomination Discharged from Finance Committee
On March 11, 2021, Becerra's nomination was discharged from the Finance Committee by the entire Senate, in a vote of 51–48.
March 2021: End of Term as Attorney General
In March 2021, Xavier Becerra's term as the attorney general of California ended.
March 18, 2021: Becerra Confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services
On March 18, 2021, Becerra was confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of Health and Human Services in a vote of 50–49.
March 19, 2021: Becerra Becomes Secretary of Health and Human Services
On March 19, 2021, Xavier Becerra became the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is the first Latino to hold the position.
March 22, 2021: Becerra Sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services
On March 22, 2021, Becerra was sworn in as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.
June 17, 2021: Supreme Court Ruling in California v. Texas
On June 17, 2021, as Attorney General of California, Becerra led the multistate lawsuit to defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA), culminating in the Supreme Court ruling in California v. Texas.
June 8, 2022: Naasón Joaquín García sentenced
On June 8, 2022, Naasón Joaquín García was sentenced to more than 16 years in a California prison.
October 6, 2022: Becerra tasked with reviewing Cannabis classification
On October 6, 2022, President Biden tasked Becerra with quickly reviewing the Schedule I classification of Cannabis.
2022: Criticism of Becerra's response to monkeypox outbreak
In 2022, Becerra faced criticism for his agency's response to the monkeypox outbreak, which was considered slow, and for issues with health policy communication. White House officials accused Becerra of attempting to scapegoat the states instead of taking responsibility for the inadequate response.
2023: Finalized negotiations for 10 high-cost drugs
In 2023, Becerra and HHS finalized negotiations for 10 high-cost drugs, including Eliquis, Jardiance, and Xarelto, achieving discounts of 38% to 79%. These lower prices, effective in 2026, would have saved Medicare $6 billion in 2023 alone.
2023: Reports of immigrant child labor violations
In 2023, The New York Times released investigations about immigrant child laborers working in violation of child labor laws across the U.S. The reports indicated that the Health and Human Services Department, including Secretary Xavier Becerra, was informed that children appeared to be at risk.
February 2024: Becerra Considering a Run for Governor
In February 2024, Politico reported that Xavier Becerra was considering a run for governor of California, and that he or affiliated individuals had approached a political consulting firm to that effect, a potential violation of the Hatch Act.
January 20, 2025: End of Term as Secretary of Health and Human Services
On January 20, 2025, Xavier Becerra's term as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services ended.
2025: Announcement of 15 additional drugs for negotiation
In 2025, Becerra announced 15 additional drugs for negotiation, with reduced prices set to take effect in 2027.
2026: Potential Gubernatorial Election
In 2026, the California gubernatorial election will occur, where incumbent governor Gavin Newsom will be ineligible to run for reelection due to term limits.
2026: Lower prices of 10 high-cost drugs become effective
The lower prices negotiated in 2023 for 10 high-cost drugs, including Eliquis, Jardiance, and Xarelto, become effective in 2026.
2027: Reduced prices for additional drugs take effect
In 2027, the reduced prices for 15 additional drugs, including Ozempic, Ibrance, and Vraylar, will take effect.
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