Senate Set to Confirm New CDC Director

The Senate is ready to confirm Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.C.) initiated the vote on Monday, setting the stage for the agency’s first permanent director in nearly a year. Schwartz would mark the first Senate-confirmed CDC director since Susan Monarez was removed last August, following disagreements with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr over vaccine policies.

Schwartz moved forward through the Senate Health Committee last week. Committee chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) initially hesitated but ultimately backed Schwartz. Other Republican members, along with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.), joined in support. Schwartz is the third nominee from the Trump administration for the CDC director role. The first nominee, Dave Weldon (R-Fla.), withdrew due to inadequate support amid scrutiny over his readiness and stance on vaccination.

Schwartz will take command at a turbulent time for the CDC. Under President Trump’s administration, morale has declined, and over a quarter of the workforce has departed. During her confirmation hearing, Cassidy probed whether Schwartz could safeguard the agency from political intrusion and whether she could resist actions not supported by science, as Kennedy might demand. Although initially skeptical, Cassidy endorsed Schwartz after receiving assurances from HHS and seeing changes to language regarding autism and vaccines on an agency website.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stood against Schwartz’s nomination. Sanders expressed concern over whether leaders in the Trump administration would oppose anti-science positions and conspiracy theories.

“The issue at hand is not complicated,” Sanders addressed. “Will we have people in the Trump administration who have the guts to stand up to people who are anti-science and into conspiracy theories?”

Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter. We’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi, bringing you weekly updates on how Washington affects your health.

Essential Reads

How policy will impact healthcare this week and beyond:

• The FDA has granted marketing authorization to four new flavored nicotine pouches: Rich Berry 2 mg, Cappuccino 2 mg, Cappuccino 4 mg, and Autumn Spice 2 mg. Helix Innovations LLC, the producer, received authorization as part of the FDA’s tobacco review pilot program.
• Sponsesors of hemp THC products gained a reprieve. A Senate funding bill this week delays the federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products until Dec. 11, a move praised by industry groups and allies.
• A measles outbreak in 2025 resulted in nearly $5.4 million in containment costs. Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine highlighted the expenses, putting it at $53,522 per measles case.

On Our Radar

Upcoming news themes and events:

• The Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee plans to vote Thursday on holding former health official Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for not answering questions during a three-hour hearing last week.
• The Senate will vote on confirming Erica Schwartz as the new CDC director.

In Other News

Branch out with different reads:

Why cyclospora can be deadly for some people – Two individuals in Michigan appear to be the first fatalities linked to a cyclospora outbreak, noted as the largest in the U.S. Michigan health officials reported the deaths on Monday, observing that the individuals had significant underlying health conditions.

Around the Nation

Local and state healthcare headlines:

• Arkansas healthcare providers show concern over the potential non-renewal of the state’s Medicaid expansion.
• Ohio health officials battle dual outbreaks of cyclospora and measles.
• Deferred Medicaid payments worth $200 million add to healthcare uncertainty in Minnesota.

What We’re Reading

Health news flagged from other outlets:

• Questions arise as the Trump administration pushes court-ordered mental healthcare according to a report from Stat.
• AI use in boosting Medicaid enrollment stirs concerns, as reported by KFF Health News.
• A lab-leak supporter is in line for Fauci’s former position, reported by Politico.