CDC nominee Schwartz faces Senate confirmation hearing
13 reported
Dr. Erica Schwartz, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is scheduled to appear before a Senate committee Wednesday morning for a confirmation hearing, according to NPR. The hearing, held by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, will be Schwartz’s first public appearance since her nomination in mid-April. Schwartz is Trump’s third nominee for the role, which has lacked a permanent director for most of Trump’s second term. If confirmed, she would work under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Schwartz is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with degrees in medicine, law and public health, and previously served as chief medical officer of the U.S. Coast Guard and deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration. Public health veterans, including Dr. Marcus Plescia, expressed optimism about her candidacy, noting the need for a stable director to address emerging issues. The hearing also includes a confirmation for Sean Kaufman, nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for Strategic Preparedness and Response at HHS.
What’s reported
Dr. Erica Schwartz is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee on Wednesday morning for a confirmation hearing.
Schwartz is Trump’s third nominee to lead the CDC, which has not had a permanent director for most of Trump’s second term.
If confirmed, Schwartz will work under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Schwartz is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps with degrees in medicine, law and public health.
She previously served as chief medical officer of the U.S. Coast Guard and as deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration.
Schwartz voiced support for vaccines on Instagram earlier this year; her Instagram page was removed soon after her nomination.
Dr. Marcus Plescia, district health director for Fulton County, said people are optimistic about her candidacy.
Health Secretary Kennedy came into office with an agenda to change vaccine policy, but changes have been largely blocked by a federal judge.
Trump’s first pick, Dr. Dave Weldon, had his nomination withdrawn before his confirmation hearing.
Trump’s second pick, Susan Monarez, was confirmed but served less than a month before being fired by Kennedy.
Internal CDC emails released by Senator Bernie Sanders show high-level exchanges from January through August 2025, including political oversight demands.
Sean Slovenski, CDC deputy director and COO, addressed low morale and high stress in an internal all-hands meeting last month.
Sean Kaufman is also up for confirmation as Assistant Secretary for Strategic Preparedness and Response at HHS.
Key figures
Dr. Erica Schwartz, CDC director nominee
Dr. Marcus Plescia, district health director for Fulton County
Dr. Georges Benjamin, head of the American Public Health Association
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., HHS Secretary
Dr. Dave Weldon, Trump’s first CDC pick
Susan Monarez, Trump’s second CDC pick
Matt Buckham, former chief-of-staff to Secretary Kennedy
Sean Slovenski, CDC deputy director and COO
Sean Kaufman, nominee for Assistant Secretary for Strategic Preparedness and Response
Senator Bernie Sanders
Sources: NPR
