President-elect Joe Biden has tapped Vivek Murthy, the former U.S. surgeon general under President Obama, to return to his post with a broader portfolio, POLITICO reports.
A formal announcement could come as soon as this weekend, and Murthy is expected to be the public face of the incoming administration's coronavirus response work.
The Indian American medical professional could also tackle other urgent issues left in the pandemic's wake, ranging from racial disparities in health care to mental health.
Murthy, who currently serves as a top coronavirus adviser and co-chair of Biden's COVID-19 task force, was an advocate for the president-elect during the campaign. He spoke at the the Democratic National Convention and appeared at an AAPIs for Biden Finance Council virtual fundraiser in September.
By picking Murthy as the "nation's doctor," Biden would be tapping a second Asian American to a high-profile role in his administration after nominating Neera Tanden to serve as director of the Office of Management and Budget on Monday.
But the surgeon general is not a Cabinet-level position, though it does require Senate confirmation. Murthy had been a contender to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where the Office of the Surgeon General is housed.
AAPI lawmakers and advocacy groups have launched a pressure campaign in recent weeks urging Biden to select more AAPIs for his Cabinet.
Shekar Narasimhan, the founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, who asked the president-elect to consider selecting Murthy as HHS secretary in a November 21 letter, said that "it would be deeply disappointing if several AAPIs are not nominated to serve in your Cabinet."
In a separate letter, members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) also noted that the Obama administration included a record three AAPI Cabinet Secretaries, while the Trump administration included two AAPI women.
"In order to ensure your administration is filled with appointees who truly reflect the strength and diversity of our nation, we urge you to continue this trend of appointing AAPI candidates to the Cabinet and prioritizing AAPI representation throughout your administration," the lawmakers wrote.
CAPAC members are expected to meet with the Biden-Harris transition team next week, according to The Hill's Scott Wong.
