CDC nominee Erica Schwartz clears key Senate hurdle on 13-10 committee vote

Published Jul 30, 06:56 PM UTC

Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advanced to the full Senate after the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 13-10 along party lines, with only Democrat Tim Kaine crossing party lines. The vote followed a tense confirmation hearing where lawmakers pressed Schwartz on how she would handle potential political interference from the Trump administration, particularly regarding vaccine policy. Committee Chair Sen. Bill Cassidy expressed initial dissatisfaction but later supported Schwartz after further discussions. If confirmed, Schwartz would lead the CDC under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has pursued a vaccine-skeptical agenda. Former CDC Director Susan Monarez previously testified she was fired for resisting Kennedy's vaccine orders. Schwartz is a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and former deputy surgeon general.