The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday, making her the agency's first permanent director in roughly a year. Dr. Erica Schwartz served as deputy surgeon general during President Trump's first term and will now oversee the nation's public health response, including vaccine recommendations and disease outbreaks. The administration announced the appointment of Dr. Erica Schwartz to succeed Jay Bhattacharya. Her confirmation comes during a period of rising measles cases and a Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce. During a Senate hearing, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., questioned whether Dr. Erica Schwartz would stand up to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding vaccine policy. While some experts were critical of her performance at the hearing, the administration defended her record. Dr. Erica Schwartz stated that her primary responsibility is to provide evidence-based guidance and promised not to betray the science.