STAT+: At key hearing, Kennedy’s ouster of former CDC director looms over nominee to replace her

The fates of two top health officials — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Susan Monarez — loomed over a Wednesday Senate hearing, though neither of them was in the room. Almost a year after Kennedy ousted Monarez as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over vaccine policy, senators pressed the administration’s new pick to run the CDC on whether she’d face a similar fate, and how she’d deal with what many of them characterized as Kennedy’s political interference in the agency. The nominee, Erica Schwartz, repeatedly demurred on the question, never quite saying whether she would stand up to the health secretary. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe