The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Susan Monarez to steer the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, placing a longtime authorities scientist on the helm of an company being upended by Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Monarez, 50, is President Trump’s second choose for the job. She was confirmed on a largely party-line vote, 51-47.
The CDC has not had a pacesetter since March, when Monarez stepped down as appearing director as a result of she was nominated to be director. She is the primary nominee for CDC director to require Senate affirmation.
Monarez will take the helm of an company beneath fireplace.
The Trump administration is trying to slash its funds by virtually half in 2026, and a whole lot of workers have been minimize. In the meantime, docs and public well being consultants have accused Kennedy of undermining the company’s credibility by altering vaccine suggestions and firing all members of a vaccine advisory panel.
Within the absence of a director, Kennedy fired all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and changed them along with his personal handpicked members. The CDC director should log out on ACIP suggestions for them to change into official company coverage, however Kennedy has taken on the function himself with out a director in place.
Kennedy’s ACIP final month voted to take away the preservative thimerosal from flu vaccines, regardless of quite a few research exhibiting it’s secure, if hardly ever used anymore. Kennedy signed the advice final week; however he has but to signal one from the identical assembly recommending everybody get a flu shot.
He additionally bypassed conventional company pathways when he unilaterally introduced HHS would now not suggest COVID-19 vaccines for wholesome pregnant ladies and wholesome youngsters.
In contrast to different Trump well being nominees, Monarez will not be often called a controversial flamethrower. She has labored within the federal authorities for practically 20 years throughout a number of workplaces however had not labored for the CDC previous to Trump tapping her because the company’s appearing head shortly after starting his second time period.
Previous to her function at CDC, she served as deputy director on the Superior Analysis Initiatives Company for Well being (ARPA-H). Earlier than getting into authorities work, she was a science and expertise coverage fellow with the American Affiliation for the Development of Science.
Trump selected Monarez to steer the company after his first alternative, former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon (R), failed to realize sufficient assist amongst Senate Republicans. Weldon was closely scrutinized for selling a debunked hyperlink between vaccines and autism.
Throughout her affirmation listening to, Monarez informed Democrats that “vaccines save lives” and stated there was no proof vaccines trigger autism.
However she walked a positive line and was cautious to not instantly contradict her would-be boss, regardless of prodding by Democratic senators. She superior by the Senate Well being, Training, Labor and Pensions Committee on a party-line vote.
“In my view, we need a CDC director who will defend science, protect public health, repudiate Secretary Kennedy’s dangerous conspiracy theories about safe and effective vaccines that have saved over the years millions of lives,” Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), the highest Democrat on the HELP Committee, stated earlier than he voted in opposition to advancing her nomination to the ground.
“Unfortunately, after reviewing her record, I do not believe that Dr. Monarez sees that person,” Sanders stated.
In supporting Monarez’s nomination, HELP committee Chair Sen. Invoice Cassidy (R-La.) stated the nation “wants a CDC director who makes selections rooted in science, a pacesetter who will reform the company and work to revive public belief in well being establishments.”
