White House Withdraws Dave Weldon's CDC Nomination Before Senate Hearing

The White House has withdrawn the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon, a former congressman and physician, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just minutes before his scheduled confirmation hearing. The decision reportedly stemmed from concerns over Weldon's controversial views on vaccines, which have drawn criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Senate Democrats, including Senator Patty Murray, expressed alarm over Weldon's past statements linking vaccines to autism, labeling such views as dangerous for the CDC's leadership. Weldon's nomination had been backed by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but it became clear that he lacked the necessary Senate votes for confirmation. The withdrawal highlights ongoing tensions surrounding vaccine policy in the U.S. and reflects broader debates over public health leadership. Weldon, who served in Congress from 1995 to 2009, had a long history of questioning vaccine safety, which contributed to the backlash against his nomination.