Senate health committee considers two more Biden picks 

The Senate health committee on Thursday considered Rachel Levine, Biden’s nominee to be the assistant secretary for health, and Viviek Murthy, the president’s pick to be surgeon general.

Both appear likely to be confirmed by the Senate, with Democrats holding 50 seats and Vice President Harris on hand to break any ties.

While most Republicans had questions about the professional experiences of the nominees, and how they would approach COVID-19, mental health and other public health issues, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), an ophthalmologist, equated genital mutiliation to gender-affirming surgery while questioning Levine, who is transgender.

“It is really critical to me that our nominees be treated with respect and that our questions focus on their qualifications and the work ahead of us, rather than ideological and harmful misrepresentations like those we heard from Senator Paul earlier,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), health committee chairwoman, responding to his remarks.