Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cleared a Senate committee Thursday despite concerns about political interference at the agency, sending her nomination to the full chamber for a confirmation vote.
Concerns centered on Schwartz's willingness to resist political pressure within the public health agency. Committee members set aside those objections, allowing the nomination to advance.
Schwartz, 54, is President Donald Trump's choice to head the Atlanta-based CDC. If confirmed, she would become the 22nd director of the agency, which works to protect Americans from preventable health threats.
The CDC director guides national responses to infectious diseases, public health emergencies and chronic conditions. The agency operates with a budget of more than $12 billion and employs approximately 15,000 people across the United States and abroad.
Opposition to the nomination focused on the CDC's independence from political pressure—a concern that has shadowed the agency in recent years.
The nomination now moves to the Senate floor, where Majority Leader John Thune will set the schedule for a vote. A simple majority is required for confirmation. The White House has made the nomination a priority, though timing remains uncertain.
