The Alpha-1 Foundation is proud to share this correspondence from our membership organization.
Statement of Confirmation of Secretary Becerra and Calling for Swift Appointment of a Permanent FDA Commissioner
March 18, 2021
The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Becerra:
On behalf of the Alliance for a Stronger FDA, please accept our congratulations on your
confirmation to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). You embark on this
task under unprecedented circumstances, and we wish you every success.
We urge you to take swift action to nominate and seek prompt confirmation of a
permanent Commissioner to lead the Food and Drug Administration.
The current leaders of the agency are doing an excellent job, but there is no substitute for
having a confirmed Commissioner who can stand behind long-term commitments made to
you, Congress, and the American people.
The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is a non-profit advocacy organization whose mission is to
ensure the FDA has the budget authority and staffing essential to meeting its critical role in
our society. We are also a leader in educating policymakers and the public about the broad
mission and responsibilities of the agency.
Our 150 members—representing the entire stakeholder community—share a common
commitment to science-based decision making at FDA and the importance of FDA being the
regulatory “gold standard” for the American people and the world.
We appreciate the enormous challenges and momentous decisions facing the
administration as the world struggles to end the pandemic. Please do not hesitate to let us
know if we can be of assistance to you and your team at HHS.
Respectfully,
Ronald J. Bartek
President
The Alliance for a Stronger FDA
