Alexander: Senate Now Poised to Confirm Dr. Scott Gottlieb to Lead the FDA

WASHINGTON, May 8 —Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said the Senate is now poised to confirm Dr. Scott Gottlieb to serve as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the Senate today voted to end debate on his nomination.

“With the remarkable discoveries our nation’s researchers are working on, there has never been a more important time to have the right person leading the Food and Drug Administration,” said Alexander. “Dr. Gottlieb understands the importance of driving forward research to take advantage of these extraordinary medical miracles that have the potential to affect every American family. He has impressive qualifications from nearly every angle, and I look forward to the Senate voting to confirm him.”

The Senate’s health committee held a confirmation hearing on April 5. With a bipartisan majority, the committee favorably reported out Dr. Gottlieb’s nomination on April 27, and after today’s vote, the full Senate can have an up or down vote on his nomination.

Dr. Gottlieb has held several positions at the FDA, serving as FDA Deputy Commissioner, as senior advisor to the FDA Commissioner, and as the agency’s Director of Medical Policy Development.  

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