Senate Committee Advances Nicole Saphier for Surgeon General

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions voted 12-11 on September 30 to advance Nicole Saphier for U.S. Surgeon General. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is the third nominee for the position put forward by President Donald Trump, following the failed or stalled nominations of Janette Nesheiwat and Casey Means.

During her confirmation hearing, Saphier testified that childhood vaccines do not cause autism and described the MMR vaccine as the "greatest tool for combating measles infections." These statements contradicted some suggestions made by the president and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy supported the nomination based on these assurances, while Senator Bernie Sanders opposed it, alleging Saphier had questioned the necessity of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth.

Saphier has pledged to divest from vaccine manufacturer stocks if confirmed. A full Senate floor vote is expected to take place after the midterm elections. In separate actions, the committee also advanced Timothy Westlake for assistant secretary for mental health and substance use and Mary Lazare for assistant secretary of aging. Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee recently advanced Chris Klomp for deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in a 15-12 vote.