Key facts
- Erica Schwartz, nominated for CDC director, and Sean Kaufman, nominated for Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, underwent Senate confirmation hearings.
- Both nominees struggled to answer direct questions from senators, particularly regarding vaccine policy and scientific integrity.
- Schwartz stated she was 'not aware' of several key CDC issues and did not commit to removing a website linking vaccines to autism.
- Kaufman has previously espoused anti-vaccine rhetoric, raising concerns among senators about his suitability for a role focused on pandemic preparedness.
- Senator Bill Cassidy expressed frustration with Schwartz's evasiveness, while Senator Bernie Sanders questioned her alignment with evidence-based medicine.
Two nominees for significant health positions within the Trump administration faced a challenging confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on July 15, 2026. Erica Schwartz, nominated to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Sean Kaufman, slated to become Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, both struggled to provide satisfactory answers to senators' questions.
Schwartz, who has a strong medical and public health background and previously served in the Navy and as deputy surgeon general, was pressed on whether she would uphold scientific integrity and resist political interference from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views. Senators, including Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.), expressed frustration with Schwartz's evasiveness. She repeatedly stated she was 'not aware' of key issues at the CDC, including the reasons for the current lack of a director, and failed to directly answer questions about her independence and commitment to evidence-based policy. When asked about the link between vaccines and autism, she initially responded, 'We do not know what causes autism,' before accepting the overwhelming evidence that vaccines do not cause autism. She also stated she was unaware of a CDC website linking vaccines and autism and did not commit to removing it.
Kaufman, who has extensive experience in outbreak preparedness, also faced scrutiny due to past public statements aligning with anti-vaccine rhetoric. Senators raised concerns that his views could compromise the nation's preparedness for future health crises. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) explicitly warned Kaufman that he would need to "do some strong work to clarify your views on" vaccines. His qualifications include a master's in public health and leadership roles at the CDC, but his espoused views on vaccine mandates and natural immunity have alarmed lawmakers.