HEALTH
Senate Health Committee Delays Vote on CDC Nominee
A key Senate committee pushed back a vote on Sean Kaufman's pandemic response post after questions surfaced about his past vaccine views.
The Senate Health Committee has delayed a vote to advance Sean Kaufman's nomination for a pandemic response position. The nomination hit turbulence due to past comments questioning vaccines, combined with the absence of Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski.
- The Senate Health Committee delayed the vote on Sean Kaufman's pandemic response nomination.
- Nomination imperiled by past comments questioning vaccines.
- Erica Schwartz would have needed a Democrat's support to advance due to Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski's absence for a family emergency.
- The committee also pushed back a vote to advance two other items.
WHY THIS MATTERSFederal health officials decide how public health crises and federal responses are managed. When nominees stumble over basic science credentials, your access to competent emergency health infrastructure takes the hit.