Cassidy backs Dr. Schwartz for CDC

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), chair of the Health Committee, said Thursday he will support Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), giving her a crucial boost ahead of the panel's vote on advancing her nomination.

"CDC needs someone who understands that the way to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases is to reassure the public that vaccines are safe and effective," he said at a committee meeting. "I'm confident that she knows what she is doing and will stand against those who do not."

He also called it a "sign of good faith" that the Health and Human Services Department had modified its website after previously disputing the scientific consensus that vaccines do not cause autism.

"There's more to do to repair the damage that has been done to the U.S. public health response, but this is a start," he said. "If confirmed, I look forward to working with Dr. Schwartz to protect children's health and regain trust in the CDC."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the panel's ranking member, said he admired Dr. Schwartz's public service and resume but did not trust her to stand up to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

"The issue at hand is not complicated, and that is, will we have people in the Trump administration who have the guts to stand up to people who are anti-science and into conspiracy theories? And I'm afraid that right now, within HHS, we have a secretary who will not tolerate dissent," he said.

"So, I will be voting against Dr. Schwartz because we need people in this country who are going to stand up, protect the American people, and I don't think you're going to see that right now with Secretary Kennedy in his position."

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