Key facts
- Dr. Erica Schwartz has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The confirmation vote in the Senate was 51-44.
- Schwartz is the third nominee chosen by President Donald Trump to lead the CDC.
- She is the first permanent director since Susan Monarez, who was fired less than a month into her tenure.
- Schwartz previously served as deputy surgeon general during the first Trump administration and was responsible for COVID-19 testing sites.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a 51-44 vote. This confirmation marks a rare success for the Trump administration in filling top health positions after previous attempts failed.
Schwartz, a retired rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, is the third nominee selected by President Donald Trump for the CDC director role. She becomes the first permanent leader of the agency since Susan Monarez, Trump's second choice, was dismissed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last year after less than a month due to disagreements over vaccine policy.
During her previous role as deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration, Schwartz was responsible for establishing COVID-19 public testing sites. Her appointment comes as the CDC is managing ongoing disease outbreaks, including measles and a foodborne parasite in the U.S., as well as Ebola in parts of Africa.
Public health officials will be observing how Schwartz navigates Health Secretary Kennedy's vaccine policy agenda. Kennedy had previously pressured Monarez regarding vaccine policy changes, leading to her dismissal. In Monarez's absence, the Department of Health and Human Services has taken steps to reduce recommended pediatric vaccines and modify a CDC webpage concerning vaccine-autism links.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the Senate health committee leader, had questioned Schwartz about her ability to withstand political pressure from Kennedy or Trump during her confirmation hearing. Despite initial dissatisfaction, Cassidy voted to confirm Schwartz, stating confidence in her capabilities but warning that further policy reversals could jeopardize future health nominees.