‘It Is Absolutely Our Business’: HHS Secretary Pushes Back Against GOP Criticism Of Biden’s Door-To-

Topline

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday responded to criticism unleashed by some Republicans this week over the Biden administration’s plan to go “door-to-door” to encourage Covid-19 vaccinations in targeted communities, arguing—contrary to what some GOP lawmakers have asserted—it is “absolutely” the business of the federal government to engage in such an push.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 24: Xavier Becerra, nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, … [+] answers questions during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee on Capitol Hill on February 24, 2021 in Washington, DC. If confirmed, Becerra would be the first Latino secretary of HHS. He is currently Attorney General of California. (Photo by Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

The HHS head told CNN’s “New Day” in a Thursday morning interview that it should be both the concern of the federal government and the taxpayer “if we have to continue to spend money to keep people from contracting Covid-19.”

Becerra highlighted it is in the best interest of Americans to build herd immunity to avoid more Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, which have been imposed in some other countries due to the threat of the more infectious delta variant. 

He also pointed out that it is not mandated that Americans open the door if someone from the government comes to give more information on the vaccine and how to get it. 

“You don’t have to answer, but we hope you do because if you haven’t been vaccinated we can help dispel some of those rumors you’ve heard,” Becerra said. 

Crucial Quote

“Perhaps we should point out that the federal government has spent trillions of dollars trying to keep Americans alive during this pandemic,” the HHS secretary added.

Key Background 

President Biden announced the “door-to-door outreach” effort on Tuesday along with a slew of new strategies geared toward getting more Americans to roll up their sleeves for the shot. The announcement immediately drew the ire of some Republicans who painted the push as an overstep by the federal government. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) accused the Biden administration of “illegal” activity in an interview with The Washington Examiner, while Rep. Chip Roy (R-Tex.) deemed it a “gross abuse of power.” “Nowhere in the Constitution does it say, ‘The federal government shall go door to door pushing Americans into vaccine trials,” said the Texas congressman. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki later emphasized that no one from the federal government will be showing up at people’s doors to offer vaccinations, but rather to share information on the shot. Psaki also specified the push is designed to address safety concerns and target people in less vaccinated pockets of the country. 

Chief Critics

“How about you don’t knock on my door,” Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R) wrote on Twitter after Biden’s announcement. “You’re not my parents. You’re the government.” 

Further Reading 

“White House Says U.S. Not ‘On Track’ For New Covid Restrictions As Delta Variant Spreads” (Forbes) 

“Infectious Delta Variant Is Now The Dominant Covid Strain In U.S., CDC Says” (Forbes)

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