Trump FDA pick Makary advances to final vote for Senate confirmation

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Marty Makary, has cleared a key vote in the Senate, bringing him one step closer to confirmation. The Senate voted 56-44 to invoke cloture on the nomination, with a final confirmation vote scheduled for later in the evening.

Makary, a professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and former Fox News medical contributor, faced questioning from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on various topics including vaccines, chronic illness, food safety, and abortion. One point of contention during his hearing was the postponement of an FDA vaccine meeting, which Makary addressed by stating that he would reevaluate the need for convening advisory committee members on certain topics.

When pressed by Sen. Patty Murray about rescheduling the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee meeting, Makary pointed out that it was the Biden administration that chose not to convene the meeting for the COVID vaccine booster. This decision by the administration to skip key committee meetings when authorizing vaccines has raised concerns among some committee members, including Dr. Paul Offit, who criticized the lack of clear evidence for the use of a third vaccine dose in younger individuals.

Makary, who has been a vocal critic of the FDA in the past, has called for “fresh leadership” at the agency to promote scientific advancement and address issues such as childhood obesity and early-onset Alzheimer’s. He emphasized the importance of addressing the impact of food on health and expressed his commitment to promoting a healthier lifestyle.

If confirmed as the head of the FDA, Makary is expected to bring a new perspective to the agency and work towards advancing healthcare policies that prioritize scientific research and public health. His nomination has received support from some senators, while others have raised concerns about his previous criticisms of the FDA and the Biden administration’s handling of vaccine approvals.

As the final confirmation vote for Dr. Marty Makary approaches, the Senate will have the opportunity to decide whether he is the right candidate to lead the FDA and shape the future of healthcare policy in the United States.