Senate panel delays votes on CDC, ASPR nominations

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee postponed votes scheduled for July 23 on advancing Dr. Erica Schwartz to lead the CDC and Sean Kaufman to head the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Chairman Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) indicated Schwartz has secured enough support after receiving assurances from the Trump administration, including a modification to the CDC's website on vaccines and autism. The committee plans to vote next week, citing a family emergency affecting Republican attendance Source: AP News. However, CNN noted that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was absent from the Capitol.

What happened

The CDC website previously stated "Vaccines do not cause autism" and later added a line calling that claim "not evidence-based." As of Thursday, the page reads: "Scientists have not identified the root causes of autism. HHS continues to support rigorous scientific research and will update this page as reliable new evidence becomes available" Source: CNN. Cassidy called the change "a sign of good faith" but said more work is needed to repair public health trust.

The uncertainty for Kaufman

Kaufman's nomination remains in limbo. Cassidy expressed concern about Kaufman's past statements on vaccines, saying "any time there is somebody contributing to confusion on immunizations that gives me concern" Source: CNN. A committee spokesperson said there are "ongoing conversations with the administration on the path forward" Source: AP News. The committee is also scheduled to vote on Keith Sonderling for Labor Secretary next week.