Welcome to Friday, March 19th, convex and concaves...

Xavier Becerra has been confirmed as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Senate voted 50-49 to confirm Becerra. The vote was mostly along party lines. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) was the lone Republican to vote in favor and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) did not vote.

Becerra is the Attorney General of California and has served in that role since January 2017 under former Governor Jerry Brown (D) and current Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

Prior to his appointment as attorney general, Becerra served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 12 terms from 1993 to 2017 and represented the Los Angeles area.

Republicans criticized Becerra’s nomination over his lack of healthcare experience, along with lawsuits he initiated as California attorney general that sought to revoke conscience exemptions for religious groups from contraceptive mandates and uphold restrictions on indoor religious services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Becerra will resign as California attorney general before he begins his duties at HHS.

Do you support or oppose Becerra’s nomination?

Tax Deadline Pushed Back to May 17

The IRS and Treasury Department are postponing the 2020 tax-filing deadline from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.

In a statement, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said:

"This continues to be a tough time for many people, and the IRS wants to continue to do everything possible to help taxpayers navigate the unusual circumstances related to the pandemic, while also working on important tax administration responsibilities."

Will you take advantage of the IRS' extension of the 2020 tax filing deadline?

All The Memes Fit To Post

Talk to Greene here.

And, In The End...

Nowruz mubarak - Happy New Year - to all our Persian friends.

Here are the Obamas smiling around the traditional haft-sin table:

Hope your spring has sprung nicely,

—Josh Herman

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