Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on June 25, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday after a party-line vote, moving her one step closer to confirmation.
Susan Monarez’s nomination now goes to the House, where it will likely give her the support needed to officially take over as CDC director after winning support from Republicans across the political spectrum in a 12-11 committee vote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-D., will be responsible for scheduling that vote, but if it doesn’t take place within the next few weeks, Monarez will have to wait until the chamber’s August recess.
Chairman Bill Cassidy, R-La., told the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that he believes Monarez is a robust candidate for CDC director and hopes she will aid bring the country’s ongoing measles epidemic under control.
“The United States needs a CDC director who makes science-based decisions, a leader who will reform the agency and work to restore public trust in health care institutions,” Cassidy said. “With decades of proven experience as a public health official, Dr. Monarez is ready to take on this challenge.”
Sanders criticizes Monarez on vaccine safety
All Republican senators on the committee, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted in favor of Monarez’s nomination.
Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a ranking member of the panel, joined Democrats on the committee in opposing Monarez’s promotion.
Sanders argued that when Monarez served as acting director of the CDC, she did not do enough to stand up to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., especially on the issue of vaccine safety.
“Today, the United States is reporting the highest number of measles cases in 33 years,” Sanders said. “In my view, we need a CDC director who will defend science, protect public health, and reject Secretary Kennedy’s dangerous conspiracy theories about safe and effective vaccines that have saved millions of lives over the years.”
CDC’s second choice over Trump
Monarez he testified before the Health, Education, Work and Pensions Committee in June, which is a standard part of the approval process.
Trump originally selected former Florida Republican Dave Weldon is expected to lead the Atlanta-based CDC shortly after securing November’s election to the Oval Office. But the White House withdrew Weldon’s nomination in March, when it emerged, he could not secure the votes needed for approval.
Later that month, Trump announced his plans to nominate Monarez social media post.
“Dr. Monarez brings decades of experience promoting innovation, transparency and strong public health systems,” Trump wrote. “He has a PhD from the University of Wisconsin and a postdoctoral fellowship in microbiology and immunology at Stanford University School of Medicine.
“As an incredible mother and dedicated public servant, Dr. Monarez understands the importance of protecting our children, our communities and our future. Americans have lost trust in the CDC due to political bias and disastrous mismanagement. Dr. Monarez will work closely with our AMAZING Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. Together they will prioritize accountability, high standards and prevention disease to finally address the chronic disease epidemic and MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN!”
