House positions

Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2017
Deputy	Joe Crowley
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	John Larson
Succeeded by	Joe Crowley
Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	Daniel Larson
Succeeded by	Joe Crowley
House Democratic Assistant to the Leader
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2009
Leader	Nancy Pelosi
Preceded by	John Spratt
Succeeded by	Chris Van Hollen

Member of the California State Assembly
from the 59th district

In office
December 3, 1990 – December 3, 1992

Preceded by

Charles Calderon

Succeeded by

Dick Mountjoy

Personal details

Born

January 26, 1958 (age 67)
Sacramento, California, U.S.

Political party

Democratic

Spouse

Carolina Reyes

Children

Education

Stanford University (BA, JD)

Xavier Becerra (born January 26, 1958) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from March 2021 to January 2025. He was the first Latino person to hold this important job. Before that, Becerra was the Attorney General of California from 2017 to 2021. He also served in the United States House of Representatives for downtown Los Angeles from 1993 to 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Born in Sacramento, California, Becerra went to Stanford University and earned his law degree from Stanford Law School. He worked as a lawyer helping people with mental health challenges. Later, he returned to California and worked for a state senator. From 1987 to 1990, he was a deputy attorney general in California. He was then elected to the California State Assembly for one term.

Becerra was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992. He represented different areas of California during his time in Congress. He also led the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and was the Chairman of the U.S. House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017.

Early Life and Education
Early Career in Law and Politics
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2017)
- Becoming a Congressman
- Key Roles and Actions in Congress
California Attorney General (2017–2021)
- Protecting Natural Resources
- Fighting Crime and Protecting Communities
Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025)
- Becoming Secretary
- Leading Health Initiatives
Future Political Plans
Personal Life
Images for kids
See also

Early Life and Education

Xavier Becerra was born in Sacramento, California, on January 26, 1958. His parents, Maria Teresa and Manuel Guerrero Becerra, worked hard to support their family. His father grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, and his mother was from Guadalajara. Xavier lived in a small apartment with his three sisters when he was a child.

He graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento in 1976. He studied in Spain at the University of Salamanca from 1978 to 1979. In 1980, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Stanford University. He was the first person in his family to graduate from college. He then earned his law degree from Stanford Law School in 1984. He became a licensed lawyer in California in 1985.

Early Career in Law and Politics

Becerra started his career as a lawyer, helping individuals with mental health conditions. He worked for the Legal Assistance Corporation of Central Massachusetts.

In 1986, Becerra moved back to California. He became an assistant to State Senator Art Torres. From 1987 to 1990, he worked as a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice.

After that, Becerra decided to run for the California State Assembly. He won the election and served one term from 1990 to 1992. As a state lawmaker, he worked on laws to make communities safer.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1993–2017)

Becoming a Congressman

In 1992, Congressman Edward Roybal retired after 30 years. Becerra ran for his seat and won the election. He represented different districts in California during his time in Congress. These included the 30th, 31st, and 34th districts. He was re-elected many times, showing strong support from voters.

Key Roles and Actions in Congress

Elijah Cummings (left), Xavier Becerra (center), and Robert Matsui at a press conference on civil rights in 1997

President Bill Clinton, Tipper Gore, and Xavier Becerra

Tipper Gore (left), Becerra (center), and President Bill Clinton

Becerra was an important member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He served as its chairman during the 105th Congress. He also held leadership roles within the Democratic Party in the House. He was the Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus from 2009 to 2013. Later, he became the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017.

He worked on important committees, including the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. This committee deals with taxes and other financial matters. He was the first Latino to serve on this committee. Becerra also worked on committees focused on reducing the national debt. He supported laws that aimed to ensure fair pay for all workers.

California Attorney General (2017–2021)

Becerra speaking to the California Democratic Party State Convention in 2019

In December 2016, Governor Jerry Brown asked Becerra to become the Attorney General of California. The California Legislature approved his appointment, and he took office on January 24, 2017. He was the first Latino to serve as California's attorney general. In 2018, he was elected to a full four-year term.

As Attorney General, Becerra often challenged policies from the federal government that he believed would negatively affect California. He focused on protecting the environment and healthcare access for Californians. He also defended important national policies like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in court.

Protecting Natural Resources

Becerra's office worked to protect California's environment.

Environmental Justice: In 2018, he created a special bureau to address environmental justice. This group worked to ensure that all communities, especially those with lower incomes or people of color, have clean air and water. They stopped projects that would cause too much pollution.
Protecting Rivers and Water: He took legal action to stop a project that would raise the Shasta Dam. This project threatened the McCloud River's natural environment and important sites for the Winnemem Wintu Tribe. He also sued over untreated wastewater flowing from the Tijuana River into California, which harmed human health and the environment.
Saving Wetlands: In 2020, he won a case to protect the Redwood City Salt Ponds. These areas are important for the San Francisco Bay's ecosystem and help protect against rising sea levels.

Fighting Crime and Protecting Communities

As Attorney General, Becerra led efforts to fight serious crimes and protect people.

Tackling Organized Crime: His office worked with police to break up criminal organizations. For example, "Operation Blocc Buster" targeted a street gang in Riverside, leading to arrests and the seizure of weapons and drugs. These efforts helped make communities safer across California.
Protecting Vulnerable People: He also took action against large criminal rings involved in serious offenses, working to protect victims and bring criminals to justice.

Secretary of Health and Human Services (2021–2025)

Becoming Secretary

In December 2020, President Joe Biden nominated Xavier Becerra to be the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. After a close vote in the Senate, he was confirmed on March 18, 2021. He was sworn in on March 22, 2021.

Leading Health Initiatives

Secretary Becerra with First Lady Jill Biden (center) and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough(left), June 4, 2021

As Secretary, Becerra focused on several key areas:

Affordable Healthcare: He worked to make sure more people could get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. He encouraged people to sign up for healthcare programs.
COVID-19 Response: He became Secretary during the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked to expand healthcare access and reduce differences in who could get public health tools during this time.
Lowering Drug Costs: Becerra played a big part in a new plan to negotiate drug prices for Medicare. This plan aims to lower the cost of expensive prescription medicines for older Americans. In 2023, his department successfully negotiated lower prices for 10 high-cost drugs. More drugs were added for negotiation in 2025.
Protecting Children: His department is responsible for the welfare of children in government care. He worked to ensure the safety and well-being of these children.

Future Political Plans

In February 2024, it was reported that Becerra was thinking about running for Governor of California in the 2026 election. On April 2, 2025, he officially announced his candidacy for governor.

Personal Life

Xavier Becerra is married to Carolina Reyes, who is a doctor. They have three daughters. He is also a member of the Inter-American Dialogue, a group that discusses important issues. Becerra is Roman Catholic.

Images for kids

Off‌icial portrait, 2021
Elijah Cummings (left), Xavier Becerra (center), and Robert Matsui at a press conference on civil rights in 1997
Tipper Gore (left), Becerra (center), and President Bill Clinton
Becerra speaking to the California Democratic Party State Convention in 2019
Secretary Becerra with First Lady Jill Biden (center) and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough(left), June 4, 2021