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CDC director confirmed

Dr. Erica Schwartz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the CDC director on August 5, 2026.

Senate confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC director in 51-44 vote

Illustration accompanying article: Senate confirms Erica Schwartz as CDC director in 51-44 vote
  • The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 51-44 vote on August 5.
  • Schwartz is Trump's third nominee to lead the CDC; the first, former Florida congressman David Weldon, was withdrawn by the White House in March 2025 before his confirmation hearing.
  • Trump's second nominee, Susan Monarez, was fired by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after less than a month in the role over a clash on vaccine policy.
  • Schwartz is the first permanent CDC director confirmed since Monarez's removal last year.
 2026-08-05 · 3 MIN READ

Senate health committee delays vote on CDC nominee Erica Schwartz

Illustration accompanying article: Senate health committee delays vote on CDC nominee Erica Schwartz
  • The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee postponed a planned vote Thursday on advancing Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Committee Chair Bill Cassidy said a family emergency reduced the number of Republican members available to be present for the vote.
  • The panel expects to vote next week on whether to forward Schwartz's nomination to the full Senate, and the vote was expected to be close.
  • During her confirmation hearing earlier in July, senators scrutinized how Schwartz would handle political pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if it conflicted with science-based decision making.
 2026-07-23 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Schwartz faces Senate as Trump’s third CDC director nominee