The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee postponed its vote on the nomination of Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, to serve as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director until the week of July 27 after too few Republican members were present to advance the nomination during a July 23 executive session.
Committee Chair Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) announced his support for Schwartz’s nomination during the session, saying he was confident she would uphold evidence-based science. His endorsement marked a shift from the committee’s July 15 confirmation hearing, where he expressed dissatisfaction with some of her responses to questions about vaccine policy, scientific integrity at the CDC, and the agency’s independence. Explaining his support, Cassidy said that after speaking with Schwartz again, reviewing the hearing transcript, and consulting colleagues who know her, he was confident that “she knows what she's doing and will stand against those who do not.” At the session, Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he would oppose her confirmation due to concerns about Department of Health and Human Services leadership and its influence over the agency.