However some progressive and centrist Democrats expressed trepidation with Califf’s nomination Tuesday.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) mentioned he would vote no on account of Califf’s “revolving door” work for trade that netted him hundreds of thousands.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has made clearer than ever the selection between pharmaceutical income and the well being of our individuals,” Sanders mentioned in an announcement after the listening to. “On this important second, Dr. Califf isn’t the chief People want on the FDA.”
West Virginia’s Joe Manchin advised in an announcement earlier than the listening to he’s additionally unlikely to help the nomination. “I can’t fathom why we’d verify somebody whose actions did not swiftly curb the tide of the opioid epidemic and defend the general public’s well being, particularly somebody who has already helmed FDA as its commissioner,” the Democrat mentioned.
And Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) informed POLITICO he has “very robust reservations” about Califf, including there was “nothing thus far to dispel” his issues.
Neither Manchin nor Blumenthal are members of the well being committee, however their positions present Democratic management seemingly wants a minimum of a couple of Republicans to make sure Califf’s affirmation goes by way of.
Califf — who most just lately led well being technique and coverage at Google’s dad or mum, Alphabet — confronted the hardest questions on previous FDA choices to approve prescription ache medicines.
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) pressed Califf on whether or not he agreed with the FDA’s choices to vary OxyContin’s indication to incorporate steady, long-term ache administration within the early 2000s.
Nevertheless, he fell wanting saying that the ache medicines must be relabeled instantly. “I feel because the proof is available in we’re going to have to aggressively take a look at relabeling,” Califf mentioned.
“The proof has been right here for a very long time,” Hassan retorted. “It’s the proof of 1000’s of individuals, a whole bunch of 1000’s of individuals, dying on this nation.”
She later informed POLITICO she hasn’t determined but whether or not to help Califf’s nomination. And Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) informed POLITICO he’s additionally undecided on Califf till he receives solutions to his personal questions on opioids.
“I’m not okay with the USA persevering with down the trail of what has been a monitor file of extra constituents dying as a result of knowledge and science and experience has been ignored by a few of these committees and these suggestions,” Luján mentioned, including that he wants “to grasp what precisely the plan is, taking a look at that labeling and adjustments.”
Not all Republican committee members are able to again Califf. Sens. Tim Scott (S.C) and Mitt Romney (Utah) are undecided.
Rand Paul, a distinguished critic of the Biden administration’s Covid-19 response, did not attend the affirmation listening to this morning. His workplace didn’t reply when requested why he was not current.
Senate HELP Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) is “working shortly” with Burr to schedule a committee vote on Califf’s nomination, a Democratic committee aide mentioned. That’s prone to stretch into the brand new 12 months: Lawmakers can submit questions for the file up till 5 p.m. on Dec. 15, and the listening to file will shut on Dec. 29.
Califf can already rely on Burr — the highest Republican on the HELP Committee — to whip Republicans to finally help Biden’s choose to guide the FDA.
“I encourage my colleagues to help the nomination of Rob Califf and to do this expeditiously,” Burr mentioned.
