Norris Cochran Named Acting HHS Head as Becerra Awaits Hearing (1)

Norris Cochran, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary of Budget, will serve as acting secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services while the new administration works to turn around a pandemic response it argues is inadequate, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.

Cochran will serve until President Joe Biden‘s nominee, Xavier Becerra, is confirmed by the Senate. Confirmation is likely, although it may take some time.

The Senate Finance Committee isn’t expected to take up the Becerra nomination this week, delaying his confirmation until likely February, according to a Democratic aide familiar with the planning.

“We have got three ...