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Senate Panel to Hear Trump’s Third CDC Director Nominee Erica Schwartz on Wednesday
Dr. Erica Schwartz, nominated by President Trump in mid-April, faces the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee for her confirmation hearing. She is the third nominee for the role at an agency without a permanent director for most of Trump's second term. NPR reported details of her background and agency challenges.
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Dr. Erica Schwartz is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee on Wednesday morning for her confirmation hearing as CDC director nominee, NPR reported. President Trump nominated her in mid-April as his third pick to lead the agency.
Schwartz is a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She holds degrees in medicine, law and public health. She previously served as chief medical officer of the U.S.
Coast Guard and as deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration. Earlier this year she posted on Instagram in support of vaccines to prevent illness and maintain military readiness; the page was removed after her nomination. If confirmed, Schwartz would work under HHS Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy, Jr. The CDC has lacked a permanent director for most of Trump's second term. Trump's first nominee, Dr. Dave Weldon, had his nomination withdrawn shortly before a hearing due to insufficient votes.
His second nominee, Susan Monarez, was confirmed but served less than one month last summer before being fired by Kennedy. Dr. Marcus Plescia, Fulton County district health director, said people are optimistic about her candidacy.
"What we really need right now is a CDC director who can step in and be a spokesperson on some of the emerging issues we're facing," Plescia stated. " Internal CDC emails released by Senator Bernie Sanders covered January through August 2025. " In a recorded all-hands meeting last month, CDC deputy director and chief operating officer Sean Slovenski addressed staff morale.
