Senate Panel Advances Trump's Health Nominees

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has advanced the nominations of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya for Director of the National Institutes of Health and Dr. Marty Makary for Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, both nominated by President Donald Trump. These nominations were approved along party lines and now move to the full Senate for confirmation. Dr. Bhattacharya, a Stanford health economist, is known for his criticism of COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates, while Dr. Makary, a Johns Hopkins physician, has questioned certain COVID-19 measures like booster shots for children. The nominations are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reshape public health leadership and policies. Concerns have been raised about Bhattacharya's past support for research funding cuts and his views on vaccine research, as well as Makary's hiring decisions. Both nominees face scrutiny over how they will handle current public health challenges and funding structures at their respective agencies.