Senate committee postpones vote on whether to advance CDC director nominee - MyNorthwest.com

A Senate health committee postponed a planned vote on whether to advance Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moving consideration to next week. The delay came Thursday in New York, after committee chair Sen. Bill Cassidy said a family emergency reduced the number of Republicans available to vote in favor. If approved, the 54-year-old Schwartz would become the 22nd CDC director, taking over the Atlanta-based agency responsible for protecting Americans from preventable health threats. Her confirmation hearing earlier this month drew scrutiny about whether she could resist political pressure, and the vote was expected to be close. Cassidy said Thursday he had concluded she could resist pressure from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if it conflicted with science-based decision making. The CDC has faced leadership turmoil and staff losses since President Donald Trump returned to office, and other HHS health vacancies remain, including surgeon general and FDA commissioner.