Senate Panel Moves Forward With Dr. Erica Schwartz's CDC Nomination
WHO:
AP News - Dr. Erica Schwartz has a resume that includes medical and law degrees, a stint as deputy surgeon general, and a leadership position at the U.S. Coast Guard.
AP News - Sen. Bill Cassidy expressed confidence in Schwartz, stating, “I’m confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not.”
AP News - Dr. Erica Schwartz, nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
AP News - President Donald Trump, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Dr. Georges Benjamin, Dr. Daniel Jernigan
ABC News - National Public Health Coalition, American Public Health Association
WHAT:
AP News - Schwartz's nomination was advanced by a Senate committee on a Thursday, with a near party-line vote.
AP News - The CDC has lost over 3,000 employees, more than one-quarter of its workforce, leading to plummeting morale.
AP News - A Senate committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to be CDC director.
AP News - If confirmed, Schwartz would become the 22nd director of the CDC.
AP News - The CDC has lost over 3,000 employees, more than one-quarter of its workforce.
ABC News - Schwartz was nominated in April.
ABC News - Schwartz pledged to “never betray the science” during her hearing.
ABC News - Schwartz was the third Trump nominee for the CDC director position in the past 18 months.
WHERE:
AP News - The CDC is based in Atlanta.
WHEN:
AP News - Schwartz's nomination was advanced by the Senate committee on a Thursday.
AP News - Schwartz's hearing took place in July.
AP News - Dr. David Weldon's Senate hearing was canceled in March 2025.
AP News - Susan Monarez was confirmed by the Senate but was ousted in less than a month.
WHY:
AP News - Concerns were raised about Schwartz's ability to stand up to political meddling from Kennedy, with Sen. Bernie Sanders questioning if there would be individuals in the Trump administration willing to oppose anti-science actions.
AP News - Concerns were raised about Schwartz's ability to stand up to political meddling from Kennedy.
ABC News - The CDC has faced turmoil since Trump returned to office, leading to significant employee losses and low morale.
HOW:
AP News - The committee's vote to advance Schwartz’s nomination was near party-line, with opposition from Sen. Bernie Sanders.
AP News - The committee's vote to advance Schwartz's nomination was near party-line.
ABC News - Schwartz's responses during her hearing were viewed as incomplete or vague by the National Public Health Coalition.
(UPDATED July 30, 2026 20:28 UTC)
Dr. Erica Schwartz, who has an impressive background that includes medical and law degrees as well as leadership roles in the U.S. Coast Guard and as deputy surgeon general, has had her nomination advanced by a Senate committee with a near party-line vote. Senator Bill Cassidy expressed confidence in Schwartz, stating that he believes she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not, despite concerns raised by Senator Bernie Sanders about her ability to resist political interference from the Trump administration. This comes at a time when the CDC is facing significant challenges, having lost over 3,000 employees, which has resulted in a decline in morale within the agency.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 19:31 UTC)
A Senate committee has advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz's nomination to become the 22nd director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a position she was nominated for back in April. If confirmed, Schwartz will step into a role that has seen significant turmoil, with the CDC losing over 3,000 employees and facing concerns about political interference, particularly from health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. During her hearing, Schwartz pledged to "never betray the science," although her responses were criticized as incomplete by the National Public Health Coalition.