WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the Senate health committee approved two significant health appointments, including the new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a leader for pandemic preparedness. This decision came after Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) chose to support these nominations despite his earlier hesitations regarding Trump administration appointees.
Erica Schwartz was endorsed as the CDC director with unanimous Republican backing and support from Tim Kaine (D-Va.), while other Democrats opposed. Similarly, Sean Kaufman was approved as the assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR) with full Republican support, but faced opposition from all Democrats.
Schwartz’s confirmation seemed assured following the support from Cassidy and Kaine. However, Kaufman’s approval was uncertain after he clashed with Cassidy during his confirmation hearing over previous comments questioning vaccine safety, initially reported by STAT.
Nonetheless, on Thursday, Cassidy announced his decision to support Kaufman, citing significant public health challenges like vaccine-preventable diseases and Ebola outbreaks in Africa. He emphasized the importance of enhancing pandemic preparedness.
The nominations will now proceed to the full Senate floor, where confirmation is expected.
Cassidy, recalling his previous support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in February 2025, explained his approval of Kaufman was based on assurances from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for personnel changes and restricting the ASPR leader’s involvement in vaccine policy decisions.
Kennedy, however, has not fulfilled some promises made to Cassidy, such as replacing vaccine advisers with skeptics. Despite this, Cassidy continues to trust Kennedy.
HHS has also taken steps to reduce the number of recommended pediatric vaccines, including delaying the hepatitis B birth dose, a move strongly opposed by Cassidy.
Furthermore, changes were made to the CDC website, altering its position that vaccines do not cause autism. Cassidy reported that HHS agreed to update the site, but it still suggests a potential link between vaccines and autism, a change he criticized in a CNN interview as insufficient.
“The administration is focused on removing vaccine misinformation from the website,” Cassidy stated, promising close monitoring of the situation.
These confirmations mark a victory for President Trump and Kennedy, who have faced challenges filling key public health positions amid various public health crises like measles outbreaks and foodborne parasites.
Although Cassidy mentioned potential delays for future nominees, his time in office is limited after losing his reelection bid following criticism from Trump and Kennedy, who accused him of blocking their health agenda.
The committee still needs to evaluate Nicole Saphier, nominated for surgeon general, who has shown strong support for vaccines. Chris Klomp, a key advisor to Kennedy and a trusted link to the White House, has been nominated as Kennedy’s deputy. Cassidy described the nomination as “encouraging.”
Schwartz, who served as deputy surgeon general during the first Trump administration, discussed her role in expanding drive-thru Covid-19 testing and her military health experience during her confirmation hearing. Cassidy questioned her ability to resist political pressure from Kennedy or Trump, a topic she largely avoided.
“After further discussions with Dr. Schwartz and reviewing her record, I am confident in her capabilities,” Cassidy stated last week.
Kaufman previously served as a CDC adviser and co-founded Safer Behaviors, a biosecurity consulting firm. Over the past five years, he has made controversial statements questioning vaccine safety, linking the hepatitis B vaccine to autism, despite a lack of evidence. During the hearing, Cassidy criticized Kaufman for these comments, though Kaufman expressed support for vaccines in his opening remarks.
Cassidy noted that Kaufman admitted to making “stupid and irresponsible” remarks about vaccines and has taken responsibility in their conversations.
This article has been updated with additional comments from Cassidy.
