The US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) advanced the nominations of Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sean Kaufman to serve as assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR). The votes mark a milestone in filling key public health roles under the Trump administration, though full Senate confirmation dates have not yet been scheduled.
Schwartz was approved by a vote of 12-10, with support from all Republicans on the committee and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), while all other Democrats opposed her nomination. Kaufman was approved by a narrower 12-11 margin, supported by all Republicans and opposed by all Democrats. The votes were originally scheduled for the previous week but were postponed due to attendance issues and further questions regarding Kaufman.
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the committee chair, stated that he obtained concessions from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including key personnel changes and better oversight, to justify his support for Kaufman. Cassidy noted that Kaufman has made irresponsible remarks regarding immunization but said the nominee owned up to those statements in private conversations. Cassidy specified that if confirmed, Kaufman will not be involved in vaccine policy.
Cassidy warned that any departure from these agreements could hold up further health nominees. He alluded to individuals within HHS who may continue to undermine confidence in vaccines and public health, without naming Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directly. Cassidy also criticized minimal changes to the CDC website as an insult to the American people, noting that the site still raises unsupported questions about a link between vaccines and autism despite modifications made as a sign of good faith.
Schwartz faces scrutiny on political interference
During her July 15 confirmation hearing, Schwartz faced tough questioning regarding potential political interference. She vowed to never betray the science and rebuild trust in the agency. However, she hedged on whether she would inform Congress if instructed to adopt unscientific policies, stating she did not believe President Trump or Secretary Kennedy would issue such directives. Schwartz is 54 years old and holds medical and law degrees, with prior experience as deputy surgeon general and in the US Coast Guard.
Public health experts indicate Schwartz would face significant challenges stabilizing the CDC, which has lacked a full-time political leader for nearly a year and suffers from morale and staffing problems. The agency has lost more than 3,000 employees, and its front office has been staffed by political appointees with limited medical or public health training. Dr. Daniel Jernigan, a former top CDC official, stated that if Schwartz is not confirmed, it will mean a continued rudderless journey for the agency.
Schwartz is President Trump’s third nominee for the CDC director role. His first two nominees included Susan Monarez, who was fired after less than a month for allegedly refusing to rubber-stamp Kennedy’s vaccine policies, and Dr. David Weldon, whose Senate hearing was canceled in March 2025 after it became clear there were insufficient votes for his confirmation. Schwartz was viewed as a less polarizing pick than previous nominees.
Reactions to Schwartz’s nomination were mixed. Dr. Georges Benjamin of the American Public Health Association expressed support despite disagreeing with some of her answers. Conversely, the National Public Health Coalition, representing current and former CDC workers, described her hearing commitments as incomplete, vague, or missing. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT.) voted against her nomination. The approvals are seen as a win for President Trump and Health Secretary Kennedy, who had previously blamed Cassidy for blocking their health agenda.