Dr. Erica Schwartz, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on July 15 as senators questioned how she would protect CDC science from political pressure, including from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Dr. Erica Schwartz, Trump’s nominee to be director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday that she would not compromise scientific standards and promised “radical transparency” as a way to rebuild public trust.
Senators from both parties focused much of their questioning on how Schwartz would handle potential pressure from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose moves to alter vaccine-related policy and other CDC actions have drawn scrutiny. Schwartz did not directly break with several of Kennedy’s recent actions when pressed, according to reporting on the hearing.
Schwartz, 54, has spent much of her career in uniformed public service, including leadership roles connected to military and public health operations. The Associated Press reported that her work included overseeing a network of clinics and medical facilities within the U.S. Coast Guard and supporting vaccination policies for service members, and that she later served as deputy surgeon general.
The hearing came as the CDC has faced prolonged instability and workforce disruption since Trump returned to office in 2025. The Associated Press reported that the agency has lost more than 3,000 employees—more than a quarter of its workforce—amid layoffs and resignations, contributing to sharply lower morale.
Schwartz is the administration’s latest pick to lead the agency after earlier efforts faltered. The Associated Press reported that Trump’s first choice, former Florida Rep. David Weldon, did not advance after his March 2025 confirmation hearing was canceled shortly before it was to begin, and that the White House then turned to Susan Monarez, who was confirmed by the Senate but removed in less than a month.
The committee has not yet scheduled a Senate floor vote, but the hearing is a key step in the confirmation process for a permanent CDC director.
