Nomination of Becerra now goes to Senate

WASHINGTON — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra took a step toward becoming secretary of Health and Human Services on Wednesday when a key Senate committee deadlocked on sending his nomination to the full chamber with a positive recommendation.

All 14 Republicans on the Finance Committee voted against Becerra’s nomination, signaling his likely confirmation will consist largely if not exclusively of Democratic votes in the evenly split Senate. If that happens, Vice President Kamala Harris could break the tie in Becerra’s favor.

Although the committee tied and thus did not favorably report his nomination, the vote still functionally advances Becerra by allowing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York to bring a confirmation vote to the floor. The Senate could vote within days.

The partyline committee vote was expected.