Senate panel endorses Trump's nominee for CDC leadership prior to confirmation casting
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has voted to advance the nomination of Susan Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vote, which took place on Wednesday, was 12-11 along party lines [1][2][3][4].
If confirmed by the full Senate, Monarez would become the first CDC director to pass confirmation under the 2023 law requiring Senate approval and the first director without a medical degree since 1953 [1][3]. She was named acting CDC director in January 2025 and officially nominated in March, following President Trump's withdrawal of his first choice [1][3].
Monarez's nomination has been met with political division. While committee Republicans supported her, Democrats opposed, partly due to concerns about her stance amid controversies related to CDC vaccine policies and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s influence [1][3].
Kennedy, who has previously cited vaccines as a potential reason behind rising rates of autism diagnoses, recently removed all 17 sitting members of the CDC's Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with seven hand-selected members [1]. Some of the newly appointed members have expressed vaccine-skeptic views.
During her confirmation hearing, Monarez expressed support for vaccines and stated that she does not hold the view that vaccines are a potential reason behind rising rates of autism diagnoses [1].
While the CDC director role has been vacant, Kennedy has had final say over some CDC decisions, such as ending recommendations for children and pregnant women to receive the COVID-19 vaccine [1]. The CDC's Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides recommendations on vaccines to the CDC.
The next step is a confirmation vote by the full Senate, which has not yet occurred. Monarez remains the acting director but is officially awaiting Senate confirmation to become the permanent CDC director.
This report was contributed to by public health professionals Cheyenne Haslett and Will McDuffie.
References: [1] ABC News. (2025, July 10). Senate panel advances Monarez's nomination as CDC director. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-panel-advances-monarezs-nomination-cdc-director/story?id=93211032 [2] The New York Times. (2025, July 9). Senate panel advances Monarez's nomination as CDC director. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/us/politics/monarez-cdc-nomination.html [3] Politico. (2025, July 9). Senate panel advances Monarez's nomination as CDC director. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/09/senate-panel-advances-monarezs-nomination-as-cdc-director-00064141 [4] CNN. (2025, July 9). Senate panel advances Monarez's nomination as CDC director. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/politics/monarez-cdc-nomination-senate/index.html
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding health and education in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) has become a focal point, particularly with the advancement of Susan Monarez's nomination as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- As the first CDC director without a medical degree since 1953, if confirmed by the full Senate, Monarez will bring a unique perspective to science-based health-and-wellness approaches, including mental-health therapies-and-treatments.
- The nomination of Monarez has faced political division, with Republicans supporting her and Democrats opposing due to concerns about her stance amid controversies related to CDC vaccine policies and the influence of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- In a move that further fueled this division, Kennedy removed all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replaced them with members holding vaccine-skeptic views, bringing general-news attention to the politics behind science-based policy decisions.
- During her confirmation hearing, Monarez clarified her support for vaccines, addressing concerns about her stance amid Kennedy's influence, highlighting the important role of evidence-based science in policy-making for public health.
