The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday alongside celebration strains, 51 to 47, to verify Susan Monarez as the brand new director of the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
President Trump nominated her for the function in March, praising her as “an unbelievable mom and devoted public servant” who “understands the significance of defending our youngsters, our communities, and our future.”
Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention 
Monarez has been serving because the acting head of the CDC since January, and beforehand labored as the pinnacle of the Superior Analysis Tasks Company for Well being. She was considered as considerably shocking decide for the CDC function as a result of not like most recent CDC administrators, she holds a Ph.D. however will not be a medical physician.
The CDC said Monarez “brings many years of distinguished expertise in well being innovation, catastrophe preparedness, world well being, and biosecurity” to the company, and can assist advance the “mission to Make America Wholesome Once more.”
At her affirmation listening to earlier than the Senate’s Well being, Schooling, Labor and Pension (HELP) committee on July 9, Monarez garnered reward from the Republican chairman, Sen. Invoice Cassidy, who’s a doctor, for her dedication to rebuilding public belief within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats on the committee grilled her concerning the affect of cuts in federal funding for well being applications and medical analysis, and expressed concern concerning the CDC’s function underneath Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Monarez was questioned by committee members a few vary of well being matters. Listed below are a few of these highlights.
Monarez on vaccines
Monarez confronted a variety of questions on vaccine suggestions. Kennedy has been a longtime vaccine critic who has pushed a discredited theory linking routine childhood pictures to autism, however throughout her listening to, Monarez refuted that view and said that she has “not seen a causal hyperlink between vaccines and autism.”
Amid a rising measles outbreak this yr, Kennedy has acknowledged the vaccine’s efficacy in opposition to the illness whereas nonetheless saying he helps particular person alternative. In a March interview with CBS Information, Kennedy publicly inspired folks to get the measles vaccine.
“If I am confirmed as CDC director, I stay up for supporting the secretary with science and proof, and ensuring that I’m giving him the very best info doable,” Monarez stated at her affirmation listening to. “Measles is a vital well being menace and we now have to verify we’re doing all the pieces that we will to stop and mitigate it.”
Monarez was additionally requested concerning the continued availability and affordability of vaccines if the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, made up of recent RFK Jr. appointees, makes modifications to suggestions.
“Vaccines completely save lives, and if I am confirmed as CDC director, I commit to creating certain we proceed to prioritize vaccine availability,” she stated.
Monarez on fluoride
Fluoride, one other subject Kennedy has spotlighted, was additionally a topic of dialogue throughout Monarez’s listening to. This yr, two states, Utah and Florida, grew to become the primary to ban using fluoride in consuming water, the place it has been added for many years to assist forestall tooth decay.
“Fluoride is a vital part to oral well being, and there are numerous points of utilizing fluoride to enhance oral well being — a direct software may be very helpful,” Monarez stated.
Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland particularly requested Monarez whether or not the water in Potomac, Maryland, which has fluoridation, is protected for households.
Monarez replied: “I consider the water in Potomac, Maryland is protected.”
Monarez on RFK Jr. and the measles outbreak
Measles got here up repeatedly as senators questioned Monarez about how she would work together with Kennedy in her function on the CDC.
“The CDC director cannot carry out this vital function until they’re politically unbiased. Which signifies that you should be keen to disagree with political leaders based mostly on scientific proof,” Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire stated. “So, is there something that you simply disagree with Secretary Kennedy about?”
“If I am confirmed as CDC director, I stay up for having technical discussions with the secretary. He has stated he values and prioritizes unbiased pondering and utilizing science to drive determination making,” Monarez replied. “I’m an unbiased thinker, and I’m a scientist, and I’ll welcome the chance to share my opinions based mostly on science and proof with him as he makes a few of these very troublesome selections.”
After Monarez sidestepped a query from Hassan about whether or not she disagrees with something Kennedy has achieved, the senator bought extra particular, asking about Kennedy’s declare that it is “very troublesome for measles to kill a wholesome individual.” This yr’s measles outbreak, centered in West Texas, killed two children who medical doctors stated didn’t have earlier well being situations.
Monarez replied that measles is an “necessary public well being menace” that may be deadly.
contributed to this report.
