![Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra -- health policy coverage for STAT](https://www.statnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AP23081622778892-645x645.jpg)
WASHINGTON — Republicans hammered the health secretary in hearings Tuesday, previewing a line of health- and science-related political attacks likely to dominate the 2024 elections.
GOP members of the House Appropriations Committee repeatedly interrogated Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about issues like gender-affirming care, reproductive rights, and migrant children at the border, continuing a theme laid out by two Senate committees last week as Becerra embarks on a committee tour to sell President Biden’s proposed 2024 budget.
The rounds of questioning come as the Biden administration struggles to shield abortion rights in the wake of Roe being overturned, and as it prepares to end a Trump-era freeze on asylum at the border with promises that officials will enact new policies to reduce unlawful border crossings.
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