Senate confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC director
The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control with a 51-44 vote. Schwartz is a physician who previously worked at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration.
The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control on Wednesday. The 51-44 vote gives the agency its first full-time political leader in almost a year. Schwartz is a physician who worked at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration.
Just one Democrat, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, supported Schwartz's nomination, along with all of the Republicans present. Kaine said Schwartz has the qualifications for the job. Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy, who had been skeptical of Schwartz, decided to support her after being assured that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not.
Schwartz faced tough questioning during her July 15 confirmation hearing over whether she could chart a course for the public health agency and work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She vowed to rebuild trust in the CDC but hedged on whether she would tell Congress if she was told to adopt unscientific or harmful policies.
Schwartz was Trump's third nominee to lead the CDC, following Susan Monarez, who was fired after less than a month in the role. The former deputy surgeon general was viewed as a less polarizing pick. But policy experts say she'll face challenges stabilizing an agency that's lacked a full-time political leader for almost a year and is beset by morale and staffing problems.
Go Deeper
What is Erica Schwartz's background?
Schwartz is a physician who previously worked at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration.
How did the Senate vote on Schwartz's nomination?
The Senate voted 51-44 in favor of confirming Schwartz as the director of the CDC.
Who supported Schwartz's nomination?
All of the Republicans present and one Democrat, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, supported Schwartz's nomination.
What challenges will Schwartz face as CDC director?
Schwartz will face challenges stabilizing an agency that's lacked a full-time political leader for almost a year and is beset by morale and staffing problems.
What is the status of Sean Kaufman's nomination for HHS assistant health secretary?
The Senate hasn't yet scheduled a vote on Kaufman's nomination, but he seems poised to get confirmed despite lingering questions about past anti-vaccine statements.
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