Xavier Becerra
Bio | Xavier Becerra is an American Democratic politician and lawyer who currently serves as the 33rd Attorney General of California, a position he has held since 2017. Becerra has a decorated history in American politics, having represented the 30th, 31st, and 34th congressional districts in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1993 and 2017. Becerra has also served as the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and as the House Democratic Assistant to the Leader. |
Status and Position | Former US House of Representatives of California |
Political Party and Jurisdiction | Democrat, California |
Elections | Election Jurisdiction | Started Campaign | Campaign Status | Poll Rankings (of the vote) |
| none |
Campaign Financing | Data on Becerra shows that his funding mostly comes from PACs (about 60%) with the remaining funding coming from individual contributions (about 30%) and other unspecified sources. Source: https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/xavier-becerra/summary?cid=N00009774 |
Voting Rights | Becerra is a strong proponent of voting rights and opposes any efforts to tamper with election results or interfere with the voting process. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-issues-guidance-law-enforcement-protecting-california |
Opinions on Issues
Issues | Stance | Summary |
| Universal Healthcare | For | Becerra believes that all Americans should have access to affordable healthcare and is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care Becerra believes that all people should be able to access healthcare regardless of ability, socioeconomic status, or their particular background. In particular, he seeks to make sure elders, LGBT individuals, and those seeking reproductive health services have fair and equal access to healthcare. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care |
| Socialized Healthcare | For | Becerra supports socialized healthcare measures such as the Affordable Care Act to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable healthcare regardless of their socioeconomic status. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care |
| Private Healthcare | Nuance | Although Becerra hasn't necessarily expressed support for eliminating private insurance altogether, he does believe that other options should be available for individuals to make healthcare more accessible and that antitrust laws should be applied to insurance companies to ensure that they are fair and ethical. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care |
| LGBT Rights | For | Becerra has been a staunch supporter of LGBT rights for decades and believes that the LGBT community should have complete equal protection under the law, including the right to marry. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/equality Becerra was one of the few to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act and was involved in the LGBT Caucus while in Congress. He also strongly supports transgender protections and endorses the AB 1887 law which prohibits state-funded travel to states that discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender, and/or gender expression. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/equality |
| Taxes | Nuance | Becerra supported Prop. 15, a proposition which would tax commercial and industrial properties at market value while taxing residential properties at purchase price, to raise revenue for schools and public services. Source: https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_15,_Tax_on_Commercial_and_Industrial_Properties_for_Education_and_Local_Government_Funding_Initiative_(2020), https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article244436552.html Given his support for this proposition and for universal/socialized healthcare measures, it would seem that Becerra is supportive of tax increases for commercial and industrial entities that will raise revenue for public services in need of funding, however he also acknowledges the issues that higher taxation of individuals, especially the middle-class, can cause. Source: https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_15,_Tax_on_Commercial_and_Industrial_Properties_for_Education_and_Local_Government_Funding_Initiative_(2020), https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article244436552.html, https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Flat Tax Rate | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. Given his support for this proposition and for universal/socialized healthcare measures, it would seem that Becerra is supportive of tax increases for commercial and industrial entities that will raise revenue for public services in need of funding, however he also acknowledges the issues that higher taxation of individuals, especially the middle-class, can cause. Source: https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_15,_Tax_on_Commercial_and_Industrial_Properties_for_Education_and_Local_Government_Funding_Initiative_(2020), https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article244436552.html, https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Tax_Reform.htm |
| Abortion | For | Becerra supports equalized access to affordable and safe abortion services and believes these services should be covered for all individuals regardless of the religious affiliation of their health insurer. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/12/10/biden-aca-abortion-becerra-hhs-239462, https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/xavier-becerra/ Becerra has a 100% rating by NARAL Pro-Choice, demonstrating his continued support for pro-choice legislation and reproductive rights protections. Source: https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/xavier-becerra/ |
| Gun Control | For | Becerra supports gun control measures such as gun tracing, background checks, and a ban on assault-style weapons to keep schools and communities safe. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-recent-firearms-operations-seizure-ghost-guns, https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-and-giffords-law-center-lead-lawsuit-demanding-trump Among the many gun control measures Becerra supports, he has been most vocal about "ghost guns", untraceable firearms, arguing that these firearms deserve to be placed under just as much regulation as traceable guns and that the government ought to address the threat these weapons pose. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-recent-firearms-operations-seizure-ghost-guns, https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-and-giffords-law-center-lead-lawsuit-demanding-trump |
| Assisted Suicide | For | Becerra supports assisted suicide for individuals who have 6 months or less to live and opposes judiciary rulings that have determined assisted suicide to be "unconstitutional." Source: https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-end-of-life-becerra-20180521-story.html, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/judge-overturns-california-s-doctor-assisted-suicide-law-n874486 Among the many gun control measures Becerra supports, he has been most vocal about "ghost guns", untraceable firearms, arguing that these firearms deserve to be placed under just as much regulation as traceable guns and that the government ought to address the threat these weapons pose. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-announces-recent-firearms-operations-seizure-ghost-guns, https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-and-giffords-law-center-lead-lawsuit-demanding-trump |
| Government Interference | For | Becerra supports government interference in issues relating to social justice and equality under the law, economic security and consumer protections, environmental justice, the expansion of healthcare and other such public services, among other issues. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/equality, https://oag.ca.gov/economic, https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://oag.ca.gov/environment |
| Planned Parenthood | For | Becerra is a supporter of abortion access and reproductive rights and has been backed by Planned Parenthood as well as NARAL for this pro-choice views. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-affiliates-california/media/press-release-12-6-2020, https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/representative/xavier-becerra/ |
| Welfare | For | As newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, Becerra is a proponent for welfare reform, and fights against legislation intended to block certain recipients from attaining benefits. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm, Becerra supports welfare reforms that expand equality under the law for marginalized groups, support undocumented immigrants, and eliminate work and marriage requirements in order to receive welfare and public services. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/equality, https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant, https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Welfare_+_Poverty.htm |
| Welfare | For | Becerra voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Bill, which affirms his position for the ethical use of human embryonic stem cells for research and fertility treatments. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/house-bill/3?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22xavier+becerra%22%2C%22stem+cell%22%2C%22stem+cell%22%5D%7D&s=3&r=31 |
| Death Penalty | Nuance | Becerra has stated that he supports the use of capital punishment, although he himself has mixed views about it. Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/California-AG-Becerra-defends-state-s-death-15695024.php, https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/351627-newsom-may-have-halted-executions-but-the-machine-keeps-on-ticking Becerra has expressed that he has "serious reservations" about the death penalty and acknowledges that disproportionately people of color are subject to capital punishment, however he has yet to pose opposition to the death penalty as it stands. Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/California-AG-Becerra-defends-state-s-death-15695024.php, https://www.dailyjournal.com/articles/351627-newsom-may-have-halted-executions-but-the-machine-keeps-on-ticking |
| Mandatory Prison Sentence | Nuance | Becerra has helped to pass a law lengthening prison sentencing for gang members who committed crimes on school property, however he also has opposed efforts to enforce harsher sentencing by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, acknowledging the issue of mass incarceration of people of color and racial profiling in law enforcement. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/us/xavier-becerra-hhs.html, https://www.davisvanguard.org/2017/05/cal-ag-others-push-back-dojs-harsh-new-sentencing-guidelines/ |
| Military Spending | Nuance | Becerra voted against a measure that would have diverted funds from the military to the construction of the border wall, and voted for the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act in 2017 despite having voted against it in 2016. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-files-motion-protect-36-billion-military-construction, https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/26754/xavier-becerra?categoryId=90&type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E,E&p=2 |
| War on Terrorism | Nuance | Becerra opposes anti-Islamic sentiment and policies put in place in an effort to combat terrorism, however he does support other measures such as screening and intelligence operations to secure the borders and protect against terrorism. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5256?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22xavier+becerra%22%2C%22terrorism%22%2C%22terrorism%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=3 |
| Foreign Policy International Interaction | For | Becerra's overall Congressional voting record shows he is supportive of foreign policy measures relating to human rights, welfare, aid, and diplomatic trade relations. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Foreign_Policy.htm Becerra has voted for foreign policy measures such as the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act (PEACE Act) and financial aid to the IMF to address third-world debt, and to give Normal Trade Relations status to China. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/1886, https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4811, https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/4444 |
| United Nations power | For | Becerra has showed support for the UN through his votes against the restriction of US funding to the UN. Source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2745, https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1646 |
| Nationalism | Against | Becerra has shown opposition to nationalist measures, particularly under the Trump administration, such as his opposition to the border wall and denouncement of white supremacy. His open support for foreign aid and support for immigrants is further evidence of his opposition to American nationalism. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-files-motion-protect-36-billion-military-construction, https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-along-21-fellow-democratic-attorneys-general-releases, https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Foreign_Policy.htm, https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant |
| Free Markets | Nuance | Becerra supports the free market system, however he also believes that certain protections and laws should be put in place to promote economic opportunity and protect consumers. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/economic Becerra supports consumer protections, antitrust laws, and fair competition laws that make the market a safe and ethical place for consumers and competitors. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/economic |
| Brexit | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Affirmative Action | Nuance | Becerra has been alleged to support Prop. 16, which repeals a previous proposition that bans affirmative action. Although he has not expressed his own stance, due to his writing of the ballot measure description that has been interpreted as slanted towards the YES stance. Source: https://calmatters.org/education/2020/10/prop-16-affirmative-action-trailing/, https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/What-s-in-a-name-Everything-unhappy-15453086.php |
| Government Spending | For | Becerra supports government spending on welfare programs (including international welfare), the expansion of healthcare, police reform, and international security measures, while he opposes any type of government funding that goes towards discriminatory action or policies. Source: https://www.ontheissues.org/CA/Xavier_Becerra_Foreign_Policy.htm, https://oag.ca.gov/health-care, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5256?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22xavier+becerra%22%2C%22terrorism%22%2C%22terrorism%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=3, https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2020/06/california-police-reform-california-attorney-general-xavier-becerra/, https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/26754/xavier-becerra/3/employment-and-affirmative-action |
| Charter Schools | Nuance | Although Becerra is not against charter schools, he has advocated for greater transparency of charter school governance and believes charter schools should be held to the same laws and standards as public schools. Source: https://www.kqed.org/news/11715137/california-attorney-general-calls-for-more-charter-school-transparency, https://mycharterlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Legal-Alert-on-AG-Opinion.pdf |
| Common Core | Unknown | No clear stance on issue. |
| Clean Energy | For | Becerra sees environmental protection as not just a necessary response to climate change but also a social justice issue, and as such seeks to enforce environmental laws and fight against efforts to undermine them. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/environment Becerra has opposed efforts to end solar incentive programs and as Attorney General of California, was dedicated to upholding the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. He also has received a 91% score from the League of Conservation Voters, showing his strong track record of backing environmental protection legislation. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/environment, https://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/xavier-becerra |
| Religious Freedom | Nuance | Becerra has expressed his support for religious freedom, however he has shown reluctance to support religious freedom for institutions and entities, viewing that this could give way to faith-based discrimination within these institutions. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-urges-us-supreme-court-retain-current-balancing-test, https://www.lifenews.com/2020/12/08/xavier-becerra-churches-shouldnt-get-same-religious-freedom-protections-as-people/ Becerra opposed the expansion of the "ministerial exception," which exempts religious institutions from anti-discrimination laws, seeing this is a breeding ground for discrimination. Instead he has advocated that religious freedom is for the individual, not for institutions or entities. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-urges-us-supreme-court-retain-current-balancing-test, https://www.lifenews.com/2020/12/08/xavier-becerra-churches-shouldnt-get-same-religious-freedom-protections-as-people/ |
| Separation of Church and State | For | Becerra supports freedom of religion outside of institutions but within them, he believes that the mandate of certain religions and the prohibition of others is unjust. Source: https://www.lifenews.com/2020/12/08/xavier-becerra-churches-shouldnt-get-same-religious-freedom-protections-as-people/ |
| Slavery Reparations | For | Becerra is deeply troubled by the mass incarceration of people of color and racial profiling and other forms of misconduct by law enforcement. He advocates for holding law enforcement officials who engage in misconduct accountable and making sure justice is served to the victims and families of those who have been subjected to police brutality through legal action. Source: https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2020/06/california-police-reform-california-attorney-general-xavier-becerra/, https://oag.ca.gov/21st-century-policing |
| Border Control | Nuance | Becerra supports national security measures like background checks and screening, however he is opposed to more extreme measures like the border wall and the Muslim travel ban. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5256?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22xavier+becerra%22%2C%22terrorism%22%2C%22terrorism%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=3 Becerra sees the border wall and Muslim ban as ineffective and divisive. Instead he advocates for increased screening and intelligence to monitor unauthorized individuals. However, he also supports undocumented immigrants, DACA, and DREAMers and believes they should have rights and protections. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant, https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/5256?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22xavier+becerra%22%2C%22terrorism%22%2C%22terrorism%22%5D%7D&s=2&r=3, https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-becerra-applauds-landmark-supreme-court-decision-daca |
| Passenger Profiling | Against | Becerra strongly opposes profiling and has expressed concern over this leading to the mass incarceration of people of color. He believes that law enforcement officials found to have engaged in profiling behaviors be held accountable and justice be served. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/21st-century-policing, https://calmatters.org/newsletters/whatmatters/2020/06/california-police-reform-california-attorney-general-xavier-becerra/ |
| DACA | For | Becerra is a strong advocate for DACA, and even made a lawsuit against the Trump administration's efforts to repeal DACA which made it to the Supreme Court. He has also opposed child separation at the border, advocated for protected statuses, and challenged laws seeking to restrict refugees and asylum seekers. Source: https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant |
| Sanctuary Cities | For | Becerra supports sanctuary cities and does not believe California's sanctuary cities statues interfere with local law enforcement but rather protects and supports undocumented people. Source: https://www.npr.org/2019/04/18/714882333/federal-appeals-panel-upholds-california-sanctuary-state-law, https://apnews.com/article/0208504a7b7b3da8f1af3f55b80abcc9, https://oag.ca.gov/immigrant |
| Legalizing Marijuana | For | Becerra supports the legalization and regulation of marijuana, and believes that legal marijuana businesses should be able to have access to the banking system. However, he also is opposed to illegal marijuana growers who do not comply with local law and believes action should be taken against these individuals. Source: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/bidens-health-secretary-pick-could-help-reclassify-marijuana/, https://twitter.com/AGBecerra/status/1126193220436684800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1126193220436684800%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marijuanamoment.net%2Fbidens-health-secretary-pick-could-help-reclassify-marijuana%2F https://twitter.com/AGBecerra/status/966028430654369792, https://twitter.com/AGBecerra/status/1217889547427569664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1217889547427569664%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marijuanamoment.net%2Fbidens-health-secretary-pick-could-help-reclassify-marijuana%2F |