US Senate panel votes to advance nomination of Trump CDC pick Schwartz
The nomination advanced after Bill Cassidy and Tim Kaine backed Schwartz despite concerns about political interference and vaccine policy at the agency.
- On Thursday, the Senate health committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a near party-line vote. The nominee now moves to the full Senate floor for final confirmation.
- Since President Trump returned to office last year, the CDC has faced significant turmoil, losing over 3,000 employees due to layoffs and resignations. Schwartz is the third Trump administration nominee for director in the past 18 months.
- Committee Chair Bill Cassidy approved Schwartz after securing assurances regarding Department of Health and Human Services personnel changes and commitments excluding Sean Kaufman from vaccine policy decisions. Kaufman had faced backlash for questioning vaccine safety.
- While Schwartz pledged to "never betray the science," she declined to remove a CDC website suggesting links between vaccines and autism. Cassidy criticized the minimal modifications as "almost an insult to the American people."
- Critics, including the National Public Health Coalition, remain skeptical of Schwartz's commitment to scientific independence, and Sen. Bernie Sanders opposed the nomination. The full Senate is expected to confirm her in an upcoming vote.
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83 Articles
'Blue states hiding data?’: Hawley presses CDC nominee Schwartz over 'abortion surveillance'
Sen. Josh Hawley questioned CDC director nominee Erica Schwartz about the agency's abortion reporting system. Hawley raised concerns that the CDC's abortion surveillance program relies on voluntary reporting from states, arguing that incomplete participation may affect the accuracy of national abortion data.
Ohio Capital Journal
US Senate panel backs Trump’s CDC nominee after tense hearing
Erica Schwartz testifies during her confirmation hearing to become director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on July 15, 2026. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — Dr. Erica Schwartz got a step closer in her bid to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after a key U.S. Senate panel propelled her nomination to the Senate floor Thursday. Th…
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