Senate confirms Schwartz for CDC director
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Add Axios on Google Schwartz during her confirmation hearing. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Senate confirmed Erica Schwartz for Centers for Disease Control director on Wednesday, giving the beleaguered agency its first full-time political leader in almost a year.
Why it matters: While the 51-44 vote marked a step toward refilling the depleted ranks of the Trump administration's health care leadership, it didn't fully resolve questions about whether Schwartz could steer clear of political interference.
Driving the news: Just one Democrat — Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.) — supported Schwartz's nomination, along with all of the Republicans present.
Context: Schwartz faced tough questioning during her July 15 confirmation hearing over whether she could chart a course for the public health agency and work with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Schwartz was Trump's third nominee to lead the CDC, following Susan Monarez, who was fired after less than a month in the role. She claimed she was dismissed for refusing to rubber-stamp Kennedy's vaccine policies.
The Senate hasn't yet scheduled a vote on whether to confirm Sean Kaufman for HHS assistant health secretary for preparedness and response.
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