Trump Nominates Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Facing Senate Doubts Over Vaccine Order
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 19
Trump Nominates Heidi Overton to Lead FDA, Facing Senate Doubts Over Vaccine Order
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 19
Summary
Heidi Overton, a White House health policy aide and former America First Policy Institute executive, was tapped to fill the FDA vacancy left after Marty Makary resigned in May.
Trump said Overton would push “America First” policies at the agency, including his drive for “most favoured nation” drug-pricing deals and other health agenda priorities.
Bill Cassidy, a Republican senator and physician, quickly raised confirmation hurdles, citing Overton’s lack of managerial experience and her role in last week’s vaccine executive order.
The nomination lands as the administration’s clashes with health agencies over vaccines and other scientific standards have already unsettled staff, even with Republicans holding only a slim Senate majority.