Biden Administration March 24, 2021

Historic: Dr. Rachel Levine Becomes 1st Openly Transgender Official Confirmed By The Senate

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Rachel Levine, nominee for Assistant Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services testifies at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee February 25, 2021 on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Levine previously served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. (Photo by Caroline Brehman-Pool/Getty Images)

Dr. Rachel Levine was confirmed Wednesday as the Department of Health and Human Services’ assistant secretary of health, becoming the first openly trans person confirmed for a presidential post in a landmark Senate vote.

The vote to confirm Dr. Rachel Levine for Assistant Secretary of Health, 52-48. pic.twitter.com/fkmdbUbdYi
— The Recount (@therecount) March 24, 2021

BREAKING: The Senate has confirmed Dr. Rachel Levine, who previously led Pennsylvania's COVID-19 response, as assistant health secretary. She is the first openly trans federal official to be confirmed by the Senate.https://t.co/tJXdzX6W4Y
— NPR (@NPR) March 24, 2021

The historic confirmation, a watershed moment not just for the Senate but for the trans community, came after a 52-48 vote. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined the Democrats in voting yes on Levine. She had previously served as the secretary of health in Pennsylvania, where she led the state’s COVID-19 response.

The response to her confirmation has been overwhelming on social media.

Representation matters.

As a co-chair of @LGBTEqCaucus, I want to congratulate Dr. Rachel Levine on this historic and well deserved confirmation. https://t.co/Aoq3o3JCqt
— Angie Craig (@RepAngieCraig) March 24, 2021

HISTORY MADE: Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsyvlania’s former Secretary of Health, has been confirmed by the Senate to be the next Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for the United States and has become the first out transgender person ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/AmsI3eJbSZ
— Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA) March 24, 2021

BREAKING: Dr. Rachel Levine is confirmed as the next Assistant Secretary of Health, making her the first-ever openly transgender federal official confirmed by the Senate! Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/3H8hjh8dQa
— National NOW (@NationalNOW) March 24, 2021