Senator Tim Kaine will vote to advance Erica Schwartz as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Senator Tim Kaine announced on Monday that he will vote to advance Erica Schwartz, the nominee selected by President Trump to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kaine stated that the agency desperately needs confirmed leadership and noted that Schwartz possesses the necessary qualifications for the role. This move is significant as it would make Schwartz the third Trump nominee for the Health and Human Services Department to receive a vote from a Democrat. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is scheduled to vote on the nomination next week. While some Democrats, such as Bernie Sanders, expressed doubt regarding Schwartz's ability to withstand pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kaine's support suggests a smooth confirmation process. The committee's held a vote last week, but delayed it due to attendance issues. Senator Bill Cassidy, the committee chair, also expressed his support for Schwartz after private discussions and a 'good faith' modification to the CDC's website regarding the vaccine-autism link.