Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee

Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by the U.S. Senate in a 51-44 vote. The confirmation followed a tense hearing where lawmakers questioned her on political interference in vaccine policy, with support from Senate Health Committee chair Bill Cassidy and only one Democrat, Tim Kaine, voting in favor.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a 51-44 vote. The confirmation followed a July 2026 hearing where lawmakers questioned her on managing political interference in vaccine policy under the vaccine-skeptical agenda of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a 51-44 vote. The confirmation followed a tense July hearing over concerns about political interference in vaccine policy, and she received backing from Senate Health Committee chair Bill Cassidy despite initial reservations. Only one Democrat, Virginia’s Tim Kaine, supported the nomination.

The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new CDC director amid a Cyclospora parasite outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce. The confirmation followed scrutiny over her independence from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., particularly regarding vaccine policies. Schwartz succeeds Susan Monarez, who resigned after a brief tenure due to disagreements with Kennedy.

Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advanced to the Senate floor after a 13-10 vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The confirmation hearing included questions about potential political interference in vaccine policy, with committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy expressing initial dissatisfaction but later supporting her nomination. Schwartz, a former U.S. Navy physician and deputy surgeon general, would oversee the CDC amid controversies involving HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine-skeptical agenda.

A Senate committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the CDC, despite concerns about political interference. She has a background in medicine, law, and public health leadership, but faced questions about resisting directives from Trump's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Opposition came from Sen. Bernie Sanders, who criticized the risk of anti-science influence in the administration.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling defended the Department of Labor's role in transferring programs from the Education Department as part of the Trump administration's plan to dismantle it. Senate Democrats criticized the move, arguing it is illogical for an agency focused on wage earners to oversee education programs for children.

Erica Schwartz's nomination as CDC director faces opposition after a contentious Senate hearing where she failed to gain bipartisan support, with Senator Bill Cassidy criticizing her responses and potential political interference. Schwartz emphasized restoring trust in public health institutions through scientific integrity.

Erica Schwartz, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the CDC, faced skepticism during a Senate confirmation hearing where lawmakers questioned her commitment to science-based decision-making and transparency. Chairman Bill Cassidy criticized her preparedness and evasiveness, while Schwartz pledged to restore trust in public health institutions and modernize the CDC.

Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the CDC faced skepticism during a Senate confirmation hearing, with lawmakers questioning her commitment to science-based decision-making. She emphasized restoring public trust in the agency through transparency and scientific integrity but did not secure bipartisan support.

Senator Bill Cassidy is investigating whether taxpayer dollars are funding child gender transitions and legal defenses for healthcare providers. The probe examines two Rhode Island health care providers and federal funding for community health centers. Cassidy demands answers on reports of providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors.