Thread by @AliceOllstein

.@SenSchumer tees up procedural vote on @XavierBecerra, who is set to be confirmed next week along party lines.

"I'm perplexed that none of my Republican colleagues would vote for him," he said.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra Schumer touts the Senate's success in confirming Cabinet members -- 16 so far, not including Haaland and Becerra, who are up next. More on the pace of confirmations from @marianne_levine: politico.com/news/2021/03/1…

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine McConnell scorches Becerra ahead of the procedural vote, citing his record on abortion rights and urging his colleagues to vote against him so that Biden would be forced to pick another nominee.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine .@RonWyden scolds Republicans for not backing Becerra, warning that further delaying his confirmation will slow down HHS' work on the pandemic and other health priorities.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden Wyden says it's "just bizarre" that Republicans are arguing that Becerra is unqualified for the top health job "after 4 years of bather about repeal and replace" and health policy challenges under the last admin.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden .@SenJohnThune now stressing that he supported other "qualified, mainstream" Biden Cabinet picks but has "serious concerns" about Becerra because of his "aggressively pro-abortion agenda."

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden @SenJohnThune The vote is starting now. @SenatorCollins just came out in support of Becerra, likely avoiding the need for the VP to break the tie on his confirmation next week. No other Republicans have yet said they will support him.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden @SenJohnThune @SenatorCollins Sinema just voted for Becerra. Notable: No Democratic defections on him so far today despite conservative groups pouring big $ into a pressure campaign focused on swing state Dems and vulnerable members up for reelection in 2022.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden @SenJohnThune @SenatorCollins Murkowski votes no on Becerra, splitting with Collins on Biden's pick for HHS Secretary

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden @SenJohnThune @SenatorCollins And that's a wrap! 51-48 in support of Becerra. Remember, this is just a procedural hurdle they had to clear and the final confirmation vote will happen next week.

@SenSchumer @XavierBecerra @marianne_levine @RonWyden @SenJohnThune @SenatorCollins Anti-abortion groups are already going after Manchin for his support for Xavier Becerra.

@StudentsforLife is out with a statement saying Manchin will "disappoint and betray" their members if he follows through on confirming him next week.