SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The California Senate on Monday voted 26-9 in favor of final confirmation of Rep. Xavier Becerra as the state's attorney general, putting on watch a veteran politician who has promised to block efforts by President Donald Trump to roll back state policies on immigration, civil rights and the environment.
Becerra, a Los Angeles Democrat and 12-term congressman, is set to take the oath of office on Tuesday before Gov. Jerry Brown's State of the State address.
"As Attorney General, Xavier will be a champion for all Californians," Brown said in a statement after the party-line vote.
Brown appointed Becerra as the state's first Latino attorney general to fill the vacancy left when former state Attorney General Kamala Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate.
Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon said Becerra will be an effective counter force to Trump, who has threatened mass deportations and the repeal of some environmental laws.
"Many of us know him personally and can attest to his character, to his integrity and to his qualifications," de Leon said of Becerra. "He will be a strong partner for our state to help us work with the federal government when we can and to resist when we must."
State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, said Becerra understands the challenges ahead.
"He will indeed vigorously defend the values of our state by taking the fight to the federal government when necessary," said Jackson, who chairs the state Senate Judiciary Committee.
Becerra, 58, said during two weeks of confirmation hearings that he would also fight any attempt to weaken environmental protections or adopt stop-and-frisk police policies that allow officers to search anyone on the street.
All Republican senators voted against Becerra or withheld their vote.
"I think when you are the top cop you have to enforce the law to the fullest extent," said state Sen. Joel Anderson, R-San Diego, before he voted against Becerra.
Opponents cited Becerra's support for sanctuary cities that refuse to have their officers help enforce immigration laws.
San Francisco prohibits local authorities from holding immigrants for immigration officials if they have no violent felonies on their records and do not currently face charges.
Trump has threatened to withhold federal funds from sanctuary cities.
Sen. John Moorlach, R-Costa Mesa, also opposed Becerra, saying he is worried that the antagonistic tone being set by Democratic lawmakers with Becerra could put at risk the $86 billion the state and its cities gets annually from the federal government.
"I don't want to jeopardize those funds," Moorlach said.
Becerra said he was humbled by the vote and ready to get working. He plans to meet soon with county sheriffs to discuss local law enforcement issues.
"As I embark on this new journey, my compass will be the experiences of hard-working families like the one I grew up in," Becerra said. "As the son of immigrants, I know how important it is to protect the rights and dreams of every aspiring American. I will make sure no headwinds from outside our state can knock us down."
