By Elsie Kamsiyochi
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Erica Schwartz, appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Wednesday for a closely watched confirmation hearing that could determine the future leadership of one of the nation’s most important public health agencies.
The hearing comes at a pivotal moment for the CDC, which has experienced months of instability and leadership changes while facing multiple public health emergencies. If confirmed by the Senate, Schwartz would become the agency’s permanent director after a prolonged period of uncertainty that has raised concerns about the CDC’s ability to respond effectively to growing health threats both within the United States and internationally.
President Trump nominated Schwartz in April following a series of leadership shake-ups at the agency. A board-certified preventive medicine physician and former deputy surgeon general during Trump’s first administration, Schwartz is viewed as a more traditional and experienced public health choice compared with some previous nominees. Unlike earlier candidates, she has no public history of questioning vaccine safety, a factor that has attracted bipartisan attention as lawmakers evaluate her nomination.
The CDC has struggled to maintain stable leadership throughout much of Trump’s second term. The agency briefly had a confirmed director when Susan Monarez took office last year, but she was dismissed less than a month later following disagreements with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy. Before Monarez, Trump’s initial nominee, former Florida Congressman and physician Dave Weldon, withdrew after it became clear he lacked enough Senate support for confirmation.
Schwartz now steps into a role that carries enormous responsibility. If confirmed, she will oversee the federal government’s efforts to combat the worst measles resurgence the United States has experienced in more than three decades. Health officials report that declining childhood vaccination rates have contributed significantly to the outbreak, with this year’s confirmed measles cases expected to surpass the record levels reported in 2025. The increase has renewed concerns among public health experts about falling immunization coverage and the return of diseases that were once considered largely eliminated in the country.
Beyond domestic concerns, the CDC is also responding to one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in recent history. The agency has activated its highest emergency response level as Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda continue battling the deadly virus. The international outbreak has placed additional pressure on U.S. health authorities to strengthen disease surveillance, coordinate global response efforts, and prepare for any potential spread beyond affected regions.
Vaccines emerged as one of the central topics during the Senate hearing. Committee Chairman Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician who has voiced concerns about recent changes to federal vaccine policy, indicated that much of his questioning would focus on Schwartz’s views regarding immunization programs and public confidence in vaccines. Cassidy described Schwartz as “very impressive” following a private meeting with her last month, but emphasized that restoring trust in vaccines remains a major priority.
The committee is also reviewing the nomination of Sean Kaufman for assistant secretary for preparedness and response, another key public health position. Kaufman’s nomination has generated controversy because of his previous public comments questioning certain vaccines and repeating claims that have long been discredited by scientific research, including assertions linking vaccines to autism. In a social media post made last year, Kaufman also criticized the hepatitis B vaccine for infants using inflammatory language that drew widespread criticism before the post was later deleted.
If confirmed, Kaufman would oversee the nation’s emergency preparedness efforts, including vaccine stockpiles, medical countermeasures, and personal protective equipment used during national health emergencies.
The Senate’s review of both nominees comes as lawmakers seek to restore confidence in the nation’s public health leadership following months of uncertainty. The outcome of Schwartz’s confirmation process is expected to play a significant role in shaping the CDC’s response to current disease outbreaks, vaccine policy, emergency preparedness, and the agency’s long-term mission of protecting public health across the United States.
Source Reuters
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