Trump’s CDC Nominee Erica Schwartz Gets Key Support on Capitol Hill from Bill Cassidy

Mariam Zuhaib, J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photos

President Donald Trump’s latest nominee to head the Centers for Disease Control garnered key support on Capitol Hill Thursday when Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) indicated she had his vote.

Trump nominated Erica Schwartz, a US Coast Guard veteran and physician who served as former Deputy Surgeon General, to lead the CDC in April.

Schwartz, 54, appeared to frustrate senators who questioned her during a confirmation hearing last week on whether she would be willing to stand up to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine stance.

At the time, Schwartz told the committee she would “never betray the science,” claimed she did not know CDC programs promoting vaccines had been curtailed, and would not say if she would take down a CDC website claiming a potential link between childhood vaccines and autism, saying she hadn’t seen it,  according to reports.

Cassidy, who cast the key vote to confirm RFK Jr. as HHS secretary, had been quiet for days on whether he would back Schwartz. His support would advance Schwartz’ nomination out of the committee.

“After speaking with Dr. Schwartz again after the hearing, reviewing the transcript, and speaking to those who have served with her and ​know her well, I’m confident that she knows what she’s doing and will stand ​against those who do not,” Cassidy said during a meeting of ‌the Senate ⁠Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

As of Thursday, the CDC site on vaccines still contained a caution that the statement “‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism.”

“CDC needs someone who understands that the way to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases is to reassure the public that vaccines are safe and effective,” Cassidy said on Thursday, according to Politico. “I’m confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not.”

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