Senate confirms Dr. Erica Schwartz as new CDC director

The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday with a vote of 51-44.

The confirmation came after nearly a year since the last permanent director was fired due to a dispute over vaccine policy with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

During her confirmation hearing, Schwartz vowed to never compromise science.

“My sacred responsibility is to provide the American people with public health guidance that is clear, honest and evidence-based,” she said.

At a July confirmation hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy questioned Schwartz along with other Republicans about vaccines and whether she would support their use, but in the end, Cassidy voted to advance her nomination.

“After speaking with Dr. Schwartz again after the hearing, reviewing the transcript and speaking to those who served with her and know her well, I’m confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not,” Cassidy said on July 23.

Most Democrats and Independents did not support the nomination over concerns that Schwartz would not uphold science against Kennedy and the Trump administration’s agenda. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders voted against advancing her nomination in the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

“I think the American people are owed better than what President Trump has nominated,” Sanders said on July 30.

Public health community leaders have also voiced concerns that Schwartz might bend to political pressure and fail to uphold science-based policies.

Schwartz will step into her new role immediately.