President Trump Nominates Dr. Heidi Overton to Lead the Food and Drug Administration

President Trump nominated Dr. Heidi Overton to serve as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Heidi Overton, who currently serves as the deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, will fill the vacancy left by Dr. Marty Makary. As a surgeon-trained official, Dr. Heidi Overton has expressed support for the administration's recent executive order regarding the childhood vaccine schedule. She advocated for the individual production of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, despite some public health experts noting a lack of scientific evidence for unbundling them. The nomination requires Senate confirmation. While some Democrats, such as Senator Patty Murray, have already signaled a 'no' vote, the administration announced the move as a strategic step toward appointing a tough, science-aware leader for the agency responsible for the regulating food, drugs, and medical devices.

Sources

• NPR
  What to know about Dr. Heidi Overton, Trump's pick to lead the FDA
• The New York Times
  Senate Health Panel Chairman Voices Strong Reservations About F.D.A. Nominee
• The Guardian
  Republicans reportedly fear datacenter backlash could cost them Ohio Senate seat – as it happened
• The Hill
  Cassidy criticizes Trump’s FDA pick, says her role in vaccine order is ‘almost disqualifying’
• Reuters
  Trump picks White House ally Overton to lead embattled FDA